Thermal feature of Yellowstone Subjects Science Mathematics Objectives The students will Display understanding of characteristics of extreme environments and the adaptations of organisms living in extreme environments. Materials Graph Paper Colored Pencils, markers, or crayons Background Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus; prokaryotic cells have a nuclear region, but do not have a true nucleus. Archaea and bacteria are the only known prokaryotes, but they outnumber all other known living organisms and can exist in environments considered extreme to humans. The microorganisms using the habitat provided by the thermal features of Yellowstone are called "thermophiles." These thermophiles exist in temperatures that greatly exceed those tolerated by eukaryotes. The temperature ranges for thermophilic prokaryotes are: Bacteria 37-95°C (99-203°F) Archaea 37-115°C (99-203°F) (Use to make the bar graph in Procedure Step 3)   Fish 38°C (100°F) Insects 50°C (122°F) Vascular Plants 45°C (100°F) Mosses 50°C (122°F) Algae 60°C (140°F) Fungi 62°C (144°F) Cyanobacteria 74°C (163°F) Chemosynthetic bacteria 95°C (203°F) Archaea 115°C (239°F) (Use to put reference arrows on the bar graph in Procedure Step 5) Procedure The instructor will 1. Ascertain that students understand the terms "prokaryote," "eukaryote" and "thermophile." The instructor will also insure that students understand that thermophilic prokaryotes can exist in temperatures that far exceed those tolerated by eukaryotes. 2. Provide the students with the temperature ranges for thermophilic prokaryotes. 3. Instruct students to prepare a bar graph ranging from 37-117°C (99-239°F) and indicate the temperature ranges of thermophilic bacteria and archaea in different bars of color. 4. Provide students with the upper temperature limits for various living organisms. 5. Direct students to indicate the upper temperature limits for these organisms on the bar graph with a labeled arrow. Assessments Bar Graphs National Science Standards NS.5-8.1 NS.5-8.3 National Mathematics Stnadards NM-DATA.6-8.1 NM-PROB.CONN.PK-12.2 NM-PROB.REP.PK-12.1 NM-PROB.REP.PK-12.3 National Technology Standards NT.K-12.3 This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.0307709 Thermal Biology Institute Montana State University Web server services are funded through generous grants to The Yellowstone Park Foundation. Home | Curricular Materials | Ask An Expert | Evaluation | Contact Us ©The Yellowstone Park Foundation 2004 Privacy Disclaimer | Freedom of Information Act