ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Pyrococcus

Pyrococcus is a tiny living thing, like a really small bug, that lives in super hot places, like really really hot water near volcanoes on the ocean floor. It's so hot that it would burn us if we went near it, but Pyrococcus likes it.

Pyrococcus is a type of archaea. It's kind of like a bacteria, but different in some ways. Scientists study Pyrococcus to learn about how it can survive in such extreme environments. They've found that Pyrococcus has some really unique qualities that help it survive, like special proteins that can work in high temperatures and special ways of repairing its DNA when it gets damaged.

Some people think Pyrococcus could be useful for making new medicines or even for creating new fuels that are better for the environment. Scientists are still studying Pyrococcus to learn more about what it can do and how it can help us.