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Where can microorganisms live on Earth?
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Microbiology
Photomicrograph of Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterium that can cause scarlet fever. (Magnified about 900Γ.)
Microorganisms, or microbes, are ubiquitous on Earth and inhabit virtually every environment. They are found in diverse locations, including:12
- Natural Environments: Microbes thrive in oceans, soils, and freshwater lakes. They are also present in extreme settings such as hot springs, deep-sea vents, polar ice, and the atmosphere.12
- Extreme Habitats: Some microorganisms, known as extremophiles, have evolved to grow optimally in harsh conditions, including high acidity, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and intense hydrostatic pressure.3
- Living Hosts: Many microbes live on or inside plants and animals. The human body, for instance, hosts trillions of microorganisms that form the microbiome, which is essential for human health.1
Because of their immense adaptability and metabolic diversity, microorganisms play a central role in global ecosystems by recycling nutrients and converting elements necessary for life.12