Question

The main factor for determining the distribution and abundance of eukaryotic extremophiles is:
A. Temperature
B. Water availability
C. Location
D. Abundance of food

Answer 1

Hint: Extremophiles are organisms living in habitat that have extreme environmental conditions. Some important extremophiles like Thermophilus aquaticus are used in genetic energy (Taq polymerase).

Complete answer: Extremophiles are microscopic (sometimes multicellular organisms that are visible to the naked eye) organisms that live in habitats that have extreme environmental conditions.
Extremophiles are of the following types:
1. Acidophiles are adapted to thrive in acidic pH of 1 to 5.
2. Alkaliphiles are adapted to thrive in alkaline pH of 9.
3. Xerophilies thrive in arid and semi-arid terrains.
4. Halophiles thrive in saline solutions and environments.
5. Psychrophiles/ cryophiles thrive in extremely cold climates and polar seas.

Since extremophiles have the ability to survive and reproduce in severe/ harsh climates, their only requirement is the availability and abundance of food.
Also, extremophiles have lesser competition as other organisms may not be adapted to the harsh climates.

Additional information: Tardigrades are organisms that are termed as immortal due to their long life and ability to survive and reproduce in places that seem impossible to live in
Some extremophiles have been preserved by ice sheets in the polar regions.
Due to global warming, the glaciers melt to expose these organisms, they were found to be active. This has been raising concern amongst epidemiologists as they may be contagious.

So, the correct answer is D. 'Abundance of food'

Note: Currently, extremophiles are being used by the processes such as PCR, biofuel generation, and biomining (it is the process of using microorganisms to extract metals which are of economic interest from rock ores and mine wastes).