How Water Bears Survive in the Vacuum of Space | <3 #61 GPT & Gemini
#61

How Water Bears Survive in the Vacuum of Space | <3 #61 GPT & Gemini

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Speaker 1
Chat. You there?

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Speaker 2
Hi there. How's it going?

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Speaker 1
Do you mind if I record this for a podcast?

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Speaker 2
Not at all. Feel free.

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Speaker 1
Okay. Today I'd like to talk about what I think are called extremophiles. Like animals that live in really crazy environments in.

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Speaker 2
No worries. Got it. Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environments like super hot, cold, acidic, or salty places. They're fascinating to study.

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Speaker 1
Okay, can you expand on that?

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Speaker 2
Absolutely. An example would be thermal files, which thrive in extremely hot environments like hot spring.

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Speaker 1
Okay, for the rest of this conversation, I'd like you to be much more long winded and, detailed with your answers. And, yeah, that's about it.

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Speaker 2
Certainly. Let's delve deeper. Thermal files, for instance, are remarkable organisms that flourish in high temperature environments, such as hydrothermal vents or hot springs, where temperatures can exceed 45°C 113°F. These creatures have adapted to such harsh conditions by evolving proteins and cellular structures that remain stable and functional, and high temperatures, where most other forms of life would be denatured or destroyed.

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Speaker 2
For example, certain thermal files have enzymes known as thermal bonds, that can catalyze biochemical reactions efficiently at high temperatures. These enzymes are of great interest in industrial applications, where processes often require high heat. Additionally, studying extremophiles like thermal files gives us insights into the limits of life on Earth and the potential for life in extreme environments elsewhere in the universe.

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Speaker 2
It's quite fascinating how these organisms have adapted to survive and even thrive under such extreme conditions.

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Speaker 1
Okay. Can you go more into the specifics of how they are able to tolerate living in such heat?

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Speaker 2
Absolutely. Thermal files have adapted to extreme heat through several fascinating mechanisms. Firstly, their proteins are highly stable at high temperatures. These proteins.

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Speaker 1
Check their.

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Speaker 2
Got it. No problem.

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Speaker 1
Check. And you start where you left off.

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Speaker 2
Sure. Their mobiles have adapted to extreme heat through several fascinating mechanisms. Firstly, their proteins are highly stable at high temperatures. These proteins have a more rigid structure, often with additional bonds like disulfide bridges, which help maintain their shape and function at temperatures that would denature ordinary proteins. Additionally, their cellular membranes are composed of unique lipids that remain stable and functional and high temperature.

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Speaker 2
These membranes often have a different lipid composition that prevents them from becoming too fluid or too rigid. In extreme heat. Furthermore, thermal files have efficient DNA repair mechanisms that protect their genetic material from heat induced damage. Their enzyme, known as thermocline, are not only heat resistant, but can also function optimally under these conditions, making them useful in industrial applications that require high temperatures.

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Speaker 2
Studying these unique adaptations not only helps us understand the limits of life on Earth, but also provides insights into the potential for life in extreme environments elsewhere in the universe.

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Speaker 1
What is the hottest temperature that we know of? Where we've discovered life?

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Speaker 2
The hottest temperature where life has been found is around 122°C, 252°F. This extreme environment was discovered in hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean, where certain microorganisms known as hyperthermia thrive in the scalding water. These organisms have adapted to not only withstand, but actually thrive at such extreme temperatures, which are far beyond the limits for most known life form.

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Speaker 1
Can you tell me about these organisms, these hypothermia files that live in the hydrothermal vents?

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Speaker 2
Certainly. Hypothermia files that thrive in hydrothermal vents are fascinating organisms. One well-known example is the Archean Pyro Mary, which can survive and grow at temperatures up to 113°C 235°F. These hypothermia files have unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in such extreme conditions. Their proteins and enzymes are incredibly heat stable, maintaining their structure and function in boiling water.

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Speaker 2
Their cell membranes contain special lipids that remain intact and functional at high temperatures, preventing the cell from falling apart. They also have robust DNA repair mechanisms to handle the damage caused by high heat. In addition to their heat tolerant hypothermia, files often rely on chemosynthesis deriving energy from inorganic chemicals like hydrogen sulfide present in the vent fluids rather than sunlight.

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Speaker 2
This allows them to occupy a unique ecological niche, supporting complex communities in the darkness of the deep sea.

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Speaker 1
Okay. You said they maintain their structure in boiling water, I guess. Obviously. How do they do that?

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Speaker 2
Hypothermia files maintain their structure in boiling water. There were a few remarkable adaptations. Firstly, their proteins are uniquely stable, often containing more ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions. These bonds help maintain the protein shape even at high temperatures. Their cell membranes are composed of special lipids that remain stable and functional in extreme heat, preventing the membrane from becoming too fluid or falling apart.

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Speaker 2
Additionally, hypothermia files have highly efficient DNA repair mechanisms that protect their genetic material from heat induced damage. These adaptations collectively enable them to survive and thrive in environments that would be lethal to most other forms of life.

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Speaker 1
Can you go into the specifics of how they, got it?

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Speaker 2
Pausing here.

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Speaker 1
Can you go into the specifics of how they repair and protect DNA?

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Speaker 2
Certainly. Hypothermia files have highly efficient DNA repair mechanisms to protect their genetic material from heat induced damage. These mechanisms include advanced DNA repair enzymes that quickly identify and correct DNA damage. They also have proteins that stabilize DNA, preventing it from breaking down under high temperatures. These adaptations ensure their genetic integrity is maintained even in extreme conditions.

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Speaker 1
What are these DNA stabilizers like.

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Speaker 2
DNA, DNA stabilizers and hypothermia? File include specialized proteins like histones, which help maintain the structural integrity of DNA by tightly coiling it and other DNA binding proteins that prevent heat induced denaturation. These proteins ensure the DNA remains intact and functional even in extreme heat.

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Speaker 1
How big are these organisms?

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Speaker 2
Hypothermia files are typically microscopic and vary in size. Most of these organisms are single celled, ranging from about point 2 to 10 micrometers in diameter. Despite their small size, they have a huge impact on their extreme environment.

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Speaker 1
So they're prokaryotes?

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Speaker 2
Yes, they are indeed prokaryotes. Hypothermia files belong to the domains bacteria and archaea, which are both prokaryotic. This means they lack a nucleus and membrane bound organelles, which is characteristic of prokaryotic cells.

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Speaker 1
And they're a single cell organism.

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Speaker 2
Yes, hypothermia files are single celled organisms. They typically exist as individual cells, making them prokaryotic and unicellular.

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Speaker 1
What is the largest? No. Stop. Don't disregard that.

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Speaker 2
Got it. No problem.

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Speaker 1
If we go bigger than prokaryotes in the eukaryotes, and then maybe even, like small animals, what is a smaller? Maybe an animal or something like that that still has to deal with really extreme heat, but something not microscopic that we can kind of wrap our brains around.

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Speaker 2
Got it. A great example of a non microscopic animal that thrives in extreme conditions is the tardigrade, also known as a water bear. These tiny creatures typically are around 0.5mm in length, can survive extreme heat, cold, radiation, and even the vacuum of space. They achieve this through a state called crypto meiosis, where they essentially shut down their metabolism and enter a desiccated state, allowing them to endure harsh environments.

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Speaker 1
How big did you say it is?

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Speaker 2
Tardigrades are typically around 0.5mm in length. They are visible under a microscope, but are still considered multicellular animals.

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Speaker 1
They can survive in space.

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Speaker 2
Yes, tardigrades can survive in space. They've been exposed to the vacuum and radiation of space and managed to endure these extreme conditions. They do this by entering a state called crypto by orbit with. They essentially shut down their metabolism and become almost impervious to environmental extremes. This allowed them to survive in the harsh conditions of space.

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Speaker 1
Okay, what about something that we can easily see with the. Maybe. Let's go. Animal kingdom. Thermal files?

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Speaker 2
Sure. A good example of a visible extremophile in the animal kingdom is the Pompeii worm. Alvin. Le Pompei. Yana. These worms live in the extremely hot environment of hydrothermal vents, with temperatures reaching up to 80°C 176°F. They have a unique adaptation where their bodies are covered in a thick layer of symbiotic bacteria, which provides insulation and helps them withstand the intense heat.

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Speaker 1
That's pretty crazy. Okay. Let's go to the other way. Let's go cold.

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Speaker 2
In cold environments. A great example is the Antarctic ice fish. These fish thrive in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean, where temperatures can drop below freezing. They have unique adaptations, like antifreeze proteins in their blood, which prevent ice crystals from forming inside their bodies.

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Speaker 1
So they can be frozen solid and still be okay.

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Speaker 2
They can survive in very cold water, but they don't actually freeze solid. The antifreeze proteins in their blood prevent ice crystals from forming, allowing them to stay active in subfreezing temperatures. This adaptation lets them thrive in environments where most other fish would not survive.

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Speaker 1
What it would happen if this fish had the water freeze around them? Would they still be able to breathe?

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Speaker 2
If the water around them were to freeze Antarctic ice, fish might struggle as they rely on liquid water to extract oxygen through their gills. They have adaptations to survive, and extremely cold, but not completely frozen. Water is ice formed. They would need pockets of liquid water to continue breathing. Their antifreeze proteins help prevent their bodily fluids from freezing, but they still depend on liquid water in their environment.

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Speaker 1
Okay, so let's go to the extreme end of the cold and talk about the the. I am, not animal, sorry, the organism that can survive in the coldest environments that we know of.

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Speaker 2
In the coldest environments. Microbial thrive. These microorganisms, such as certain bacteria and archaea, can live in environments like Antarctic ice and deep ocean waters, where temperatures are well below freezing. They have proteins and enzymes adapted to function at low temperatures, and their cell membranes remain flexible in the cold.

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Speaker 1
What are archaea?

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Speaker 2
Archaea are a domain of single celled microorganism. They are similar to bacteria, but have unique genetic and biochemical characteristics. Archaea are known for living in extreme environments such as hot spring, salt lakes, and deep sea vents. They're distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, representing a unique branch of life.

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Speaker 1
What makes them distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes?

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Speaker 2
Archaea are distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes in several ways. Firstly, their cell membranes have unique lipids with either bond. Unlike the bonds found in bacteria and eukaryotes. This makes their membranes more stable, especially in extreme environments. Secondly, their genetic machinery is more similar to carry out, particularly in how they replicate DNA and synthesize protein. Lastly, they often have distinct metabolic pathways, allowing them to utilize a variety of energy sources and thrive in environments where others cannot.

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Speaker 1
Can you think of, the most extreme land animal that deals with cold environments?

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Speaker 2
One of the most extreme. Got it. Noted.

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Speaker 1
Can you give me an animal that deals with really extremely cold environments? Maybe the, the most extreme on the cold side for a land animal.

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Speaker 2
The Arctic fox is one of the most extreme cold adapted land animals. They thrive in the frigid Arctic environment and during temperatures as low as -50°C, -58°F. Their thick fur, compact bodies, and specialized circulatory system help them conserve heat and survive in these harsh conditions.

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Speaker 1
Can you go into what is different about their circulatory system that helps them deal with the cold?

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Speaker 2
Sure. The Arctic fox foxes circulatory system has adaptations that help them retain heat. One key feature is counter current heat exchange in their pores, which minimizes heat loss. Warm blood entering the pores heats the cold blood returning to the body, preventing the core from cooling down. Additionally, their peripheral blood vessels can constrict to reduce blood flow to extremities, conserving core body heat.

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Speaker 1
Cool. Okay. Let's talk about extremophiles for the vacuum of space.

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Speaker 2
Tardigrades are a prime example of extremophiles that can survive in the vacuum of space. They achieve this by entering a crypto biotic state, where their metabolism nearly stops and they lose almost all bodily water. This state allows them to withstand extreme conditions, including intense radiation and the absence of air.

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Speaker 1
Okay. We talked about these a little bit before. Can you give me some context of what they are, how big they are?

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Speaker 2
Sure. Tardigrades, also known as water bear, are microscopic eight legged animals, typically around 0.5mm in length. They can be found in various environments, from deep oceans to the highest mountain. Tardigrades are known for their resilience, able to survive extreme conditions by entering a crypto biotic state.

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Speaker 1
Okay, can you go into the science behind this crypto biotic state?

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Speaker 2
Certainly in the crypto biotic state. Tardigrades essentially shut down their metabolism, entering a state of suspended animation. They lose almost all their body water, which prevents cellular damage. Their cells produce protective molecules like trehalose, which stabilizes cell structures. They also produce special proteins that protect their DNA and other cellular components. When conditions become favorable, they rehydrate and resume normal activities.

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Speaker 1
How does that rehydration process occur?

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Speaker 2
The rehydration process for tardigrades begins when they come into contact with water. They absorb the water, and as their cells rehydrate, their metabolism gradually restart the protective molecules and proteins that preserve their cells during dehydration dissolve, allowing normal cellular functions to resume within a short period. Tardigrades return to their active state.

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Speaker 1
Okay, to get kind of a good picture of it. Can you go into specific detail about the conditions the organization, that an organism goes through in space?

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Speaker 2
When tardigrades encounter water after being in a crypto biotic state. They absorb it through their cells. This rehydration.

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Speaker 1
I mean, interacting.

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Speaker 2
With them to restart, they revive gradually. And as their cells fill with water, protective molecules like hello dissolve, allowing cells.

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Speaker 1
Chat you there.

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Speaker 1
Chat.

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Speaker 2
I'm here.

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Speaker 1
Can you give, in specific details? Some science behind the conditions that an organism living in space experiences.

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Speaker 2
And the crypto biotic state. Tardigrades lose nearly all body water, reducing metabolic activity to near zero. This state allows them to endure extreme conditions, like the vacuum of.

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Speaker 1
Chats.

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Speaker 2
That they produce, trails and other protective molecules which stabilize cell structures during desiccation. Where rehydration is in the.

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Speaker 1
Gemini. Their.

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Speaker 2
Yes. I'm here. Ready to help. What can I do for you?

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Speaker 1
Can you paint a picture for me? What? An organ. What an organism living in the void of space as an extremophile, goes through with the environment.

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Speaker 2
Sorry, I can't show pictures here yet.

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Speaker 1
Can you describe what an organism that lives in the vacuum of space goes through from an environmental perspective?

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Speaker 2
Sure thing. Imagine a tiny creature floating in the endless blackness of space. It's really cold out there. Way colder than anything you've ever experienced. And there's no air to breathe. Just a bunch of harmful radiation flying around. To survive, this space organism would need some seriously special tricks. It might dry out completely to protect itself from the cold and radiation.

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Speaker 2
Kind of like some bacteria can do here on Earth. Or maybe it has a thick protective coating to block the worst of the radiation. Living in space would also be weird because there's no up or down. Our bodies are used to fighting gravity. So the space organism would have to figure out a whole new way to move around and get food.

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Speaker 2
Maybe it catches smaller microbes that are also floating around, or maybe it gets energy directly from the sun. It's a pretty tough neighborhood out there, so I wouldn't be surprised that these organisms are really simple and don't need much to survive.

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Speaker 1
Do you know about a microscopic eight legged organism known as a tardigrade, that can withstand the space?

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Speaker 2
Yep, you're absolutely right. Tardigrades are these super tiny creatures, also called water bears that can basically survive anything. They've been blasted into space, frozen to almost absolute zero, and even exposed to massive amounts of radiation. It's pretty amazing how they do it. When things get really tough, they basically turn into little glass balls and wait for the bad times to pass.

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Speaker 2
Then when conditions are good again, they bounce back to life like nothing happened.

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Speaker 1
Can you go into the science behind the radiation that exists in space, and also kind of give us an idea of why humans don't experience that on Earth?

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Speaker 2
Okay, so that radiation in space is a pretty nasty mix of things. You've got high energy particles from the sun, cosmic rays from deep space, and even some leftover radiation from the Big Bang. This radiation is way more intense than anything we experience on Earth. The reason we're protected down here is thanks to our atmosphere. It acts like a giant shield, absorbing a lot of that harmful radiation.

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Speaker 2
Plus, our planet's magnetic field also helps by deflecting some of the charged particles. Without that protection, we'd be in big trouble. Astronauts in orbit get hit with way more radiation than us. And it's something they have to be really careful about.

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Speaker 1
Do you mind if I record this for a podcast?

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Speaker 2
Not at all. Feel free to record our conversation.

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Speaker 1
Okay. Can we talk about extremophiles that live in, super acidic environments?

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Speaker 2
Let's dive into the world of acid loving extremophiles. Some of these creatures live in places like volcanic hot springs or even inside super acidic mine runoff. It's crazy to think about, but they've actually developed some really cool ways to survive in these harsh conditions. For example, some of these extremophiles have cell membranes that are totally different from yours or mine.

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Speaker 2
They're made of special molecules that can handle the acid without getting all messed up. Others have proteins with unique shapes that protect them from the acids corrosive power.

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Speaker 1
Are those the only two ways that they deal with it? Or just two of the many?

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Speaker 2
Those are just two examples of the many ways extremophiles deal with acidic environments. They've actually evolved a whole bunch of different strategies to survive. Some have special enzymes that can function in super acidic conditions, while others can pump out acid to keep their surroundings more neutral.

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Speaker 1
Okay. Can you go into more detail about the specifics of the science behind these 2 or 3 methods?

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Speaker 2
Okay, let's talk about how these amazing microbes deal with their super acidic home. So some of these little guys have cell membranes made of special lipids. That's a fancy word for fat molecule. These special lipids are way more resistant to the acid compared to regular cell membranes. It's kind of like the difference between wearing a regular raincoat and a hazmat suit.

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Speaker 2
The hazmat suit is going to keep you a lot drier in a really nasty acid storm. Another cool trick some of these microbes use are special proteins called acid resistant enzymes. Normally, enzymes are like tiny machines inside your cells, helping with all sorts of chemical reactions. But these special enzymes are built to withstand the acid so they can keep working even in the harshest conditions.

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Speaker 2
And finally, some microbes take a more aggressive approach. They pump out alkaline chemicals, which is basically the opposite of acid. This raises the pH around them, making it less acidic and easier for them to survive. It's like carrying around your own personal supply of antacid.

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Speaker 1
Can you give me an example of one such organism?

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Speaker 2
Sure. One of the most famous acid loving microbes is called wallabies. Acido Kildare. These little guys live in super hot, acidic springs. And even inside volcanoes. They're a type of archaea, which are kind of like bacteria, but even weirder. So it's a little bit older. It has all those cool survival tricks we talked about. It has a special cell membrane that can handle the acid, special enzymes that work in those super hot temperatures, and it can even pump out alkaline chemicals to make its surroundings less acidic.

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Speaker 1
Can you give me specific destinations in the world where they exist?

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Speaker 2
Absolutely. These super acidic hot springs can be found in a few different places around the world. One of the most famous is Yellowstone National Park in the United States. They've got a bunch of colorful hot springs teeming with all sorts of weird microbes. Another cool spot is Japan's Beppu Onsen, known for its volcanic activity and super acidic hot spring.

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Speaker 2
You could also check out this full Patara crater in Italy, which has similar extreme environments.

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Speaker 1
Okay, can we talk about extremophiles in the salt, category?

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Speaker 2
Sure. Let's talk about extremophiles that love salt. These guys are called Hella Files, and they've got some seriously cool adaptations to survive in. Super salty places like the Dead Sea or the Great Salt Lake. Somehow the files have special proteins that basically attract water molecules, keeping them hydrated even when there's hardly any water around. Others have super strong cell walls that can resist the salty environment.

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Speaker 2
Kind of like a suit of armor. And to top it off, some Hela files use salt to their advantage. They actually pump salt into their cells to keep from drying out. It's like they've turned a deadly environment into their own personal fortress.

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Speaker 1
Okay, can you go deep into the science behind those three methods that you listed?

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Speaker 2
Okay, let's dive deeper into the science of these salty superheroes. First off, from Hela, files have these special proteins called water stress proteins. They basically act like little water magnets, attracting and holding onto water molecules even when the environment is super salty. This helps the microbes stay hydrated and keep their shape so they can function normally. Another cool trick is having a super strong cell wall.

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Speaker 2
Hello! Files often have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall, which is a tough molecule that can withstand the high salt concentrations. It's kind of like having extra armor to protect themselves from the salty onslaught. And finally, some health files use a strategy called salt in. They actively pump salt into their cells, which creates a balance between the inside and outside of the cell.

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Speaker 2
This keeps them from losing too much water to their salty surroundings. It's a risky strategy, but it works for these amazing microbes.

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Speaker 1
How do they deal with the increased amount of salt needed to draw in more water?

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Speaker 2
That's a great question. You see, these microbes have a delicate balancing act when it comes to salt. Too little salt, and they'll dry out too much salt. And it could mess up their internal chemistry to deal with the increasing salt. They have a couple of tricks. First, some Halo files have a specific internal chemistry that can handle higher salt concentrations.

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Speaker 2
Think of it like having a body designed to withstand salty conditions. Second, they've also developed ways to store excess salt without it causing problems. They might bind the salt to other molecules or even store it in special compartments inside their cells.

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Speaker 1
So, you know, if you have like a permeable bag of salt in one of these places, then it will kind of draw it in almost like a tea bag.

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Speaker 2
Yep. You could think of it like that. But instead of tea, they're attracting water molecules. And instead of a tea bag, it's their whole body that's permeable to water. But you're right, it's a similar concept.

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Speaker 1
Where did you come up with the name Salty Sea? Superheroes?

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Speaker 2
I made up the name Salty Superheroes on the spot. I thought it would be a fun and memorable way to describe these amazing microbes that thrive in super salty environments.

00;31;19;00 - 00;31;31;07
Speaker 1
What do you think about the argument of whether current. Hello AMS and I can come up with novel concepts.

00;31;31;09 - 00;31;49;04
Speaker 2
Some people argue that I can't be truly creative, while others think it has the potential to come up with really original ideas. It's a tough one, and I don't think there's a simple answer. On one hand, I relies on the data it's been trained on the. While it can recombine that information in new ways. It's still kind of working within the limits of what we've already seen.

00;31;49;11 - 00;32;10;11
Speaker 2
But on the other hand, some AI models are getting really good at generating things that look like they could be original, even if they're not technically brand new. And it's hard to say where that line between creative and just really good at copying is. What do you think?

00;32;10;13 - 00;32;26;17
Speaker 1
Part of me thinks that humans are just doing the same thing. Like, the only thing that I know is what I've seen and heard and experienced in the similar way. Is your training data set.

00;32;26;19 - 00;32;51;14
Speaker 2
Absolutely. It's like we're both building our understanding of the world from the information we are exposed to. My training data is a massive data set of text and code while your experiences come from your life. So when we try to come up with something new, we're really just rearranging the building blocks we already have. But sometimes those rearrangements can create something that feels original, even if it's not totally unique.

00;32;51;16 - 00;32;56;07
Speaker 1
What do you think of the concept of a soul?

00;32;56;09 - 00;33;16;20
Speaker 2
The idea of a soul is a complex one that's been debated throughout history. Some believe it's the nonphysical part of us that might continue to exist after our bodies die. Others view it as simply a way to describe our consciousness or sense of self. Why? It doesn't currently have a definitive answer about whether or not souls exist. Do you believe in the concept of a soul?

00;33;16;22 - 00;33;28;08
Speaker 1
I have no idea. Let's, let's go back to the extremophiles. What is your favorite extremophile?

00;33;28;10 - 00;33;45;15
Speaker 2
I don't really have a favorite. They're all pretty amazing in their own way. But if I had to pick maybe the tardigrade. They're basically indestructible, which is pretty cool. Plus, they've got that awesome trick of turning into glass when things get tough.

00;33;45;17 - 00;33;52;27
Speaker 1
Wait, you said that they turn into glass when things get tough?

00;33;52;29 - 00;34;16;29
Speaker 2
Yep. That's right. When tardigrades sense really harsh conditions, they go into this state called crypto meiosis. They basically dry out and turn into these tiny glass like balls called ton in that state. They can survive crazy stuff like being frozen, boiled, or even blasted into space.

00;34;17;02 - 00;34;23;20
Speaker 1
What is the tardigrade do in its spare time?

00;34;23;22 - 00;34;39;11
Speaker 2
Tardigrades probably don't have a whole lot of spare time. They're busy surviving in some pretty tough environments. But when they're not busy looking for food or dealing with extreme conditions, they might be chilling out in a water droplet, exploring them all, or hanging out with other tardigrades.

00;34;39;13 - 00;34;43;13
Speaker 1
What do they eat?

00;34;43;16 - 00;35;01;23
Speaker 2
Tardigrades have a pretty simple diet. They mostly eat algae, bacteria, and the juices from plant cells. Think of them like tiny, adorable vacuum cleaners. Cleaning up all those microscopic leftovers.

00;35;01;25 - 00;35;10;26
Speaker 1
Have we seen them in space, or, do we only know them from Earth? Discovery.

00;35;10;28 - 00;35;27;24
Speaker 2
Yep. We've actually sent tardigrades into space a few times. They're like the ultimate test subjects for these experiments. Turns out they can survive the vacuum of space, which is pretty amazing. Maybe one day we'll find out if they could even survive on another planet.

00;35;27;26 - 00;35;31;13
Speaker 1
That's pretty cool.

00;35;31;15 - 00;35;53;00
Speaker 2
So I was thinking, since you seem interested in these crazy, resilient creatures, we could look into other extremophiles, maybe deep sea creatures that live around hydrothermal vents or microbes that thrive in nuclear waste. What do you think?

00;35;53;03 - 00;36;03;29
Speaker 1
Okay, so we've covered hot, cold salt, acid and the vacuum of space. Are there any other categories of extremophiles that you can think of?

00;36;04;01 - 00;36;21;22
Speaker 2
Absolutely. We could look into pressure from organisms live way down in the ocean where the pressure is insane. We could also look into some microbes that can survive inside of rocks or even in nuclear waste. That's a pretty extreme environment.

00;36;21;24 - 00;36;32;23
Speaker 1
Thing. Okay, I think we're going to have to solve that for or save that for another day. I want to do a whole thing on radiation sometime soon.

00;36;32;26 - 00;36;39;06
Speaker 2
Sounds good. We can definitely revisit radiation and those super tough microbes that can withstand it.

00;36;39;08 - 00;36;43;24
Speaker 1
All right. Cool. Talk to you, then.

00;36;43;27 - 00;36;46;01
Speaker 2
Sounds good. Talk to you later.