termofijos

Termofijos, a variant spelling of termófilos, refer to microorganisms that grow at elevated temperatures. They include bacteria and archaea. Thermophiles prefer temperatures roughly 45–80°C; hyperthermophiles exceed 80°C. They are found in environments such as hot springs, geothermal soils, volcanic areas, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents, as well as industrial processes that operate at high temperatures.

Biochemical adaptations enable proteins to remain stable; cell membranes in archaea often use ether-linked lipids with isoprenoid chains; chaperone proteins and DNA-binding proteins stabilize structures; reverse gyrase helps stabilize DNA against heat damage; metabolic strategies include both chemoorganotrophy and chemolithoautotrophy; some are photoautotrophs utilizing light-driven energy.

Ecologically, termofijos contribute to the cycling of elements in high-temperature ecosystems; they can be primary producers in deep-sea vents; they are studied for their enzymes, which are unusually thermostable. The best-known example is Thermus aquaticus, whose DNA polymerase inspired PCR. Other thermostable enzymes are used in industry, including detergent formulations and biocatalysis.

Note: in Spanish, termófilo is the standard term; termofijos appears as an uncommon variant; scientific literature typically uses termófilos.