(c) Nate Holland 2007

 

Thermus aquaticus is a bacteria commonly found in the thermal springs at Yellowstone National Park. It thrives in hot, wet environments and was first discovered in 1969 by Thomas D. Brock. The discovery of Thermus aquaticus was especially important, because it derailed the theory that life couldn't exist in temperatures above 163 degrees fahrenheit.

 

 

 

Quick Facts About Thermus Aquaticus:

 

 

Thrives in hot springs

 

Heat compatability

 

 

Enzyme extracted to replicate DNA

 

Rapidly destroyed by sodium lauryl sulfate

 

 

 

Minerals, unessesary, but usefull for the replication of cells

 

Used to learn more about extremophiles

 

Spheres formed by isolataes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerobic

 

 

Quite resistant to osmotic lysis

 

Used for criminal investigation

 

Aquaticus derived from the Latin word aqua

 

Thomas D. Brock discovered

 

Identifies deceased people

 

Classified as Deinococcus-Thermus

 

 

Used by doctors to diagnose and treat genetic diseases

 

Slow-spreading colonies