Ways an organism can survive in extreme conditions.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the survival of organisms on a hypothetical planet with 0.5 Earth mass and 0.8 Earth radii, orbiting a Sun-like star, where atmospheric pressure is only 0.03 bar, causing water to boil at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Key points include the potential adaptations of organisms to maintain a body temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit without losing internal water to boiling. Suggestions for survival strategies include maintaining high internal pressure, living in cooler regions, or utilizing adaptations like an external bladder for water storage. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of life, drawing parallels to extremophiles on Earth, which thrive in harsh conditions. The broad definition of "organism" allows for a wide range of survival strategies, highlighting the adaptability of life forms in extreme environments.
willstaruss22
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Lets ay there is a 0.5 Earth mass and 0.8 Earth radii planet orbiting a Sun like star at the same distance Earth is orbiting its Sun. Its atmospheric pressure would be 0.03 bar. Water boils at 75 degrees F at this pressure. How could an organism living on the surface survive?

Another question...Lets say the organisms body temperature was 80 degrees F.

Would the water within the organism boil off due to the low atmospheric pressure or could the outside pressure have no affect? If it could be prevented how?
 
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It could survive by being adapted to it's environment or by using an artificial environment.

To have a body temp of 80F, and rely on liquid water to survive, would probably mean being able to maintain a high internal body pressure too. It could also live in a cooler region with liquid water on the surface and just have a large throughput (it would take a while for the water just drunk to boil). Maybe the organism acts as a biological steam engine? Or maybe it has an external bladder to store liquid water? Basically you can take your pick - bearing in mind that speculation is against the rules.

What is the scientific context for the question?
 
I am just very curious how an organism could survive in an extreme environment. Thanks I never even imagined an organism could do those things.
 
willstaruss22 said:
I never even imagined an organism could do those things.
Really? - Then you should look at how Earth organisms survive the range of environments offered on our own planet. Life is pretty tenacious.

Note: "organism" covers everything from a virus to a colony of fungus to an Apatosaur.
It includes all such things currently living and extinct and yet to be. That gives quite a lot of scope for finding a solution.

i.e.
http://www.nss.org/adastra/volume14/rothschild.html
http://www.livescience.com/13377-extremophiles-world-weirdest-life.html
 
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