What is an extremophile?

An extremophile is defined as an organism that thrives in extreme environmental conditions, which can include very high or low temperatures, extreme acidity or alkalinity, high salinity, and other challenging habitats that are often inhospitable to most life forms. These organisms have specialized adaptations, such as unique enzymes and cellular structures, that enable them to survive and reproduce in these harsh environments.

For example, thermophiles and psychrophiles are types of extremophiles that thrive in extremely hot and cold temperatures, respectively. Halophiles flourish in highly saline environments, like salt flats or salt mines. The adaptations that extremophiles possess allow them to exploit niches that would be lethal to typical organisms, thus demonstrating the amazing diversity and resilience of life on Earth.

In contrast, the other options refer to organisms that do not have the same level of specialization for harsh conditions. Ordinary soil plants, moderate climate animals, and species sensitive to climate change do not belong to the category of extremophiles, as they typically thrive in more stable and mild environments.