Incendiamoeba cascadensis

Incendiamoeba cascadensis Latest News

Scientists recently discovered an amoeba named Incendiamoeba cascadensis that can reproduce at temperatures previously considered too extreme for complex life, setting a new record for eukaryotes.

About Incendiamoeba cascadensis

• It is a new species of amoeba.
• It was discovered in the geothermal streams of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.
• The name Incendiamoeba cascadensis translates to “fire amoeba from the Cascade mountain range”.
• It can reproduce at temperatures reaching 145°F (63°C), breaking the record for the most heat-tolerant eukaryote.
  • While some thermophilic bacteria and archaea have been found to grow at temperatures exceeding 100°C, the limit for eukaryotic survival has been estimated at 60°C based on previous sampling. 
  • Archaea and bacteria have different cellular organization from eukaryotes.
  • Eukaryotic organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, amoebae, and many other microorganisms, contain a nucleus and other specialized cellular structures. 
• I. cascadensis divides through mitosis, the process in which one eukaryotic cell produces two daughter cells.
• It can remain mobile at around 147°F (64°C) and recover after brief exposure to temperatures of approximately 158°F (70°C), although it does not reproduce normally at that temperature. 
• It had an elongated, worm-like form and a compact, amoeboid shape with pseudopodia.  
• How does the amoeba survive extreme heat?
  • Extreme heat can damage proteins and destabilise cell membranes. 
  • The findings suggest that the organism has adaptations that help protect its proteins and membranes. 
  • It can also change its shape and movement patterns in response to rising temperatures. 
  • At higher temperatures, the amoeba forms a protective structure that helps it withstand short periods of extreme heat. 
  • However, scientists have not yet identified the precise mechanisms responsible for its heat tolerance.

News: NIE

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