pHmäät

pHmäät is a theoretical concept in speculative biology and astrobiology, referring to potential life forms or biological processes that might exist in environments where the dominant chemical characteristic is a high pH, or alkalinity. The term is a portmanteau of "pH" and "määt," a hypothetical word suggesting a non-terrestrial or unusual origin.

On Earth, life thrives in a relatively narrow pH range, typically between 6 and 8, with a few extremophiles existing in more acidic or alkaline conditions. Environments with pH values significantly above 9, such as some soda lakes or hydrothermal vents, are considered challenging for most known life. pHmäät proposes that life could adapt to, or even originate in, such alkaline conditions.

Hypothetical pHmäät organisms might possess cell membranes and enzymes that are stable and functional at high pH. Their metabolic pathways could be fundamentally different from those found on Earth, possibly utilizing alkaline-specific chemical reactions. The search for pHmäät is often linked to astrobiology, considering planets or moons with potentially alkaline oceans or subsurface environments. While no direct evidence of pHmäät currently exists, the concept encourages a broader definition of habitability and prompts exploration into the diverse chemical possibilities for life beyond Earth. Research in this area focuses on understanding the biochemical limits of life and the potential for life to arise in a wider spectrum of environmental conditions.