Extremophiles and their Implications for Astrobiology

Abstract

Deepnil Ray and Ananya Noronha

This paper explores the significance of extremophiles—organisms that thrive in Earth's most extreme conditions—in the broader context of astrobiology. By studying these resilient life forms, scientists can redefine the limits of habitability and guide the search for life on other planets. This research delves into the biochemical pathways that allow extremophiles to survive, the concept of the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA), and the implications of these findings for the exploration of planetary bodies like Mars, Europa, and Enceladus.

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