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Life

Until recently, scientists believed that the sole source of
energy responsible for life on earth was the sun. In 1977, a
group of scientists researching the theory of plate tectonics,
traveled to the floor of the equatorial Pacific Ocean and
discovered something that could possibly explain how life
began on this planet. From the Galapagos Rift's thermal
springs, scientists discovered densely populated communities of
several species never before observed. Since that time the
Federal Government has devoted more than 10 million dollars
to research these communities and their evolutionary history.
This figure, to many scientist's dismay, is dramatically less
than that of the space exploration program's budget. For
example, in 1992, the government budget for oceanography
research was $600 million while NASA spent 8.5 billion. We know
more about the space around us than we do about our own
home. Only 1 percent of the sea floor has been mapped. The sea
is the largest, most inaccessible, and least understood
ecosystem on this planet.
Since studies of these communities began, previous notions
that cold darkness, and extreme pressure are inimical to life
have been disproved. We now know that an ecosystem can be
sustained by unusual energy sources. The animals that have
been discovered in hydrothermal vents are fascinating as well
as extremely important. The structure of these creatures is
such that a new kingdom has been discovered/created.
Previously scientists divided the living world into two
kingdoms: bacteria, also known as prokaryote and
eukaryotes (plants and animals). The difference between the
two kingdoms was their genetics. The DNA of these newly
discovered animals was distinct from the two other kingdoms.
They have been called archaea. Research on these animals is
limited since they do not grow and culture well in a
laboratory. These animals live in extremely hot temperatures
of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and...