Thermus aquaticus is a species of bacterium that can live in high temperatures, ths species is one of thermophilic bacteria that belong to the Deinococcus-Thermus group.
Thermus aquaticus appears as either a rod or a short slender thread, and the rod-shaped cells will tend to form either a rose shape or a straight line pattern.
When exposed to sunlight, Thermus aquaticus can be a yellow, pink, or red color due to pigments within the bacteria. Along with the coloration, Thermus aquaticus can either have flagella (arms they use to move) or be immobile.
Thermos aquaticus were first found in the hot springs in yellow stone park
Thermus aquaticus is heterotrophic and needs organic compounds from the surrounding environment in order to grow and sustain life. Some of the most common sources are: algal-bacterial mat, other heterotrophs, and the surrounding soil. The algal-bacterial mat is an area at the surface of a hot springs environment containing decomposing organic matter
Thermus Aquaticus belongs to the Deinococcus-Thermus group and are really ancient microorganisms, which existed in the first stages of the earth’s history.
Thermus aquaticus produce asexually.
Thermus aquaticus have been very useful in the field of biotechnology as its enzyme Taq polymerase can be harvested and used. This enzyme is useful as it does not denature at high temperatures.
Taq polymerase is a DNA polymerase that allows the bacteria to replicate at the high temperatures of its environment due to its thermo stability
Because of this stability of this enzyme it can be used in the process known as the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.PCR is a technique used to enlarge a piece of DNA.
We now know PCR today as what is used in DNA cloning and manipulation, the analysis of gene functions and mutations, for the diagnosis of hereditary and infectious diseases, and identification of genetic fingerprints as used in forensic science and paternity