Question

Halophilic archaebacterium (Halobacterium salinarum) found in the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea cannot live in

• A. Less than $3$M NaCl concentration
• B. Less than $5$M NaCl concentration
• C. More than $4$M NaCl concentration
• D. More than $3$M NaCl concentration

Answer 1

The correct option is A Less than $3$M NaCl concentration

Halophiles are organisms that thrive in high salt concentrations. They are also called salt-loving microorganisms. They are found in hypersaline environments like in arid, coastal, deep‐sea, underground salt mines. They can comfortably live in evaporation ponds or salt lakes such as Great Salt Lake, Owens Lake and the Dead Sea. They cannot live in less than 3M NaCl concentration. The concentration higher than 3M NaCl in the environment will cause movement of water outside from a plant cell to the environment and cell will die due to osmotic stress. A concentration of less than 3M NaCl concentration in the environment will cause the movement of water inside the cell from the environment will cause the cell to burst and the plant will die.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Less than 3M NaCl concentration.'