What is the purpose of an Extremophile, if any?

Considering its ability to survive under extremely hostile conditions by comparison to other organisms, is it safe to assume that the conditions, although imperative for its survival, also hinder its continued evolution?

If that is the case then do you think it's possible to predict the maximum tolerances for any life form to exist, since prior to the discovery of an extremophile scientists always thought it impossible to sustain life under such conditions.

Finally, would it be possible to replicate the success of an extremophile in a rat by injecting the same science into its skin so that it is able to survive in temperatures above 200 Celsius for example?

Hi AMc,

"Considering its ability to survive under extremely hostile conditions by comparison to other organisms, is it safe to assume that the conditions, although imperative for its survival, also hinder its continued evolution?"

I think the only way we can answer that question is to find dead or fossilised xphiles and then compare them to what we see now. If we find fossils a few million years old but see no change, then it's a good bet that they do not evolve in that time frame. That of course would not mean that they do not evolve.

"If that is the case then do you think it's possible to predict the maximum tolerances for any life form to exist, since prior to the discovery of an extremophile scientists always thought it impossible to sustain life under such conditions."

That's a tuff one. I am not sure if any "living" thing could exist at 0 kelvin even given quantum effects that we have not as yet thought of. In the opposite direction, temperatures in supernova explosions again, I think, would disallow existence of living things.

"Finally, would it be possible to replicate the success of an extremophile in a rat by injecting the same science into its skin so that it is able to survive in temperatures above 200 Celsius for example?"

I think this will be possible but maybe not in my lifetime. The advances and knowledge that we are getting from genetic experiments is very cool. I think that one day we will be able to manipulate genes in such a way as to allow humans deep space travel without the complications inherent in it now.

Red

If you define "Life" as an autonomously moving collection of bits seeking reproduction, several artificial forms qualify.

If you  add "chemically biologic" to the definition, there are some amazing possibilities. Carbon is a great building block, but so is Silicon. C and H bind to form water with O, but you can make Methane with a little more H...perhaps a methane-rich environment (like Titan) has fueled microbes happily munching away on a diet than would kill anything else.

Xphiles are the first step in expanding our knowledge biologique.

Still, I subscribe to the thought that to make life, you need a liquid in which to form complex molecule chains. Crystalline structure is not as condusive to mutation and solids that are pliable under extreme temps aren't terrific candidates for morphology either.

Bottom line: we'll probably recognize life if we find it.