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Q18·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2023

Extremophile microorganisms — above boiling point, below freezing point, pH below 3

S&THealth & Medical ScienceHow-many countingEasyStatic

Question

Consider the following statements: How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. 1.

    Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water.

  2. 2.

    Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water.

  3. 3.

    Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3.

Options

a

Only one

b

Only two

c

All three

Answer
d

None

Explanation

All three statements are correct. These refer to extremophiles, a resilient class of microorganisms (mostly archaea). Hyperthermophiles thrive in hydrothermal vents above 100°C. Psychrophiles survive in glacial ice below 0°C. Acidophiles flourish in extreme acidic conditions, such as acid mine drainage or volcanic springs, with a pH well below 3.

Extremophilic archaea routinely break the perceived biological limits of temperature, pressure, and acidity.

Answer: (c).

Question details

Year

2023

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q18

Subject

Science & Technology

Sub-topic

Health & Medical Science

Type

How-many counting

Difficulty

Easy

Nature

Static

Source hint

NCERT Biology Cl.11 Ch.2

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