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Halophiles
Other archae live in similarly
strange places. The Dead Sea in
Israel got its name because it was
assumed that the sea was so salty
that nothing could survive in it.
However, archaea called
halophiles have been found alive Figure 17 - Methanosarcina rumen can be
and well in this salty environment. found in the gut of cows, where it breaks
down cellulose.
Methanogens get their name from
the waste product they produce, a
compound called methane. These
organisms make methane when
they use hydrogen gas to obtain
energy. Since methane is a
greenhouse gas, methanogens
contribute to global warming.
Figure 16 – Halophiles like these Scientists studying climate change
halobacteria live in very salty waters such
as the Dead Sea or Utah’s Great Salt are very interested in the methane
Lake. levels of swamps where
methanogens live.
Methanogens
Although archaea are known for
Still other archaea, called the unusual places they live, some
methanogens, live in swamps, and live in much less extreme places.
in the guts of termites and cows. Recent studies have shown that
Those living inside the cows help archaea can be found in soil and
the cow by breaking down living along with plankton in the
cellulose, a tough carbohydrate ocean.
made by the plants eaten by the
cow. If you identified this as an
example of mutualism, you are
absolutely right!
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