How Do You Spell PSYCHROPHILIC?

1. Psychrophilic is an adjective that describes an organism or a substance that thrives in, or is adapted to, extremely cold temperatures. The term is derived from the Greek words "psyche," meaning cold, and "philos," meaning loving. Psychrophilic organisms can be found in various environments that exhibit low temperatures, such as polar regions, high-altitude mountains, or deep ocean trenches.

   In biology, psychrophiles are microorganisms capable of thriving or reproducing in temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and are considered extreme cold-loving organisms. These organisms have evolved specific adaptations that allow them to survive in such harsh conditions, such as producing anti-freeze proteins that prevent the formation of ice crystals within their cells.

   Psychrophilic substances, on the other hand, are materials or chemicals that exhibit certain characteristics or properties at low temperatures. For example, some psychrophilic enzymes remain active and highly efficient in cold environments, making them valuable in various industrial applications, including biotechnology and food processing.

   The study of psychrophiles and psychrophilic substances is of great interest to scientists due to their implications for understanding extremophile life and their potential practical applications. By exploring the mechanisms by which these organisms or substances adapt to extreme cold, researchers can gain insights into the limits of life and develop technologies that can withstand or harness extremely cold conditions.

2. Preferring cold; thriving best at a low temperature, said of bacteria developing between the extremes of 0° and 30° C. (32° and 86° F.), with an optimum of 15° to 20° C. (59° to 68° F.).

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PSYCHROPHILIC

The word "psychrophilic" is derived from two Greek roots: "psyche" and "philos".

1. "Psyche" (ψυχή) means "soul" or "mind" in Greek. However, in scientific terminology, it is often used to refer to life or living organisms.

2. "Philos" (φίλος) means "loving" or "affectionate" in Greek.

Therefore, "psychrophilic" combines these two roots to form a word that refers to organisms or life forms that thrive in cold or low-temperature environments. In scientific usage, it generally describes microorganisms or bacteria that can grow and reproduce at low temperatures.