Halophiles thrive in:
AHot
BCold
CRandom
DHigh salt environments (e.g., salt lakes, salt flats)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. High salt environments (e.g., salt lakes, salt flats)
Halophiles: salt-loving extremophiles. Live in Dead Sea, Great Salt Lake, brines (>30% NaCl). Mostly archaea (Halobacterium). Use compatible solutes to balance osmotic pressure. Color salterns red/pink (bacterioruberin pigments). Bacteriorhodopsin: ATP-generating proton pump driven by light.