Halobacterium

                               Halobacterium Salinarum

Halobacteria (a group within the haloarchaea, not true bacteria) are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, and they likely have ancient evolutionary roots dating back 

                            Billions Of Years.

Extreme Halophile

• Requires very high salt concentrations (typically 15–30% NaCl) to survive.

• Cannot grow in low-salt environments — their cellular structure collapses without salt.

2. Bacteriorhodopsin

• A light-sensitive pigment embedded in the cell membrane.

• Functions like photosynthesis, but instead of fixing carbon, it:

  • Converts light energy into a proton gradient

  • Which is used to make ATP

• Gives Halobacterium its characteristic reddish-purple color.

• Bacteriorhodopsin is similar in structure to human rhodopsin, the light-sensing protein in our eyes.

Dead Sea

Snapshot 

Snapshot