Re: description for an extreme thermophile

Hi Irene, Your question is very brief and not that specific - I assume you mean "what's the definition of an extreme thermophile" ? Definitions vary depending on who you read, but most researchers will tell you that a thermophile grows at temperatures above about 50 degrees C and a hyperthermophile grows above 80 degrees C. These temperatures would refer to the optimum growth temperature of the organism. Recently, a microbe was discovered that can grow at 121 degrees C - check it out. Also take a look at Life At High Temperatures.