Term: extremophiles
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02310

Definition:
Organisms which require extreme physico-chemical conditions for their optimum growth and proliferation. Extremophilic microorganisms are e.g. thermophiles or psychrophiles, halophiles, alkalophiles or acidophiles, osmophiles and barophiles, based on their growth at extremes of temperature, salt concentration, pH, osmolarity or pressure, respectively.

Related Terms:
1) thermophiles (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06333).
2) halophiles (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02729).
3) salt (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05447).
4) osmolarity (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04343).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 153 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'extremophiles' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02310

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