Question

Describe two adaptations that enable prokaryotes to survive in environments too harsh for other organisms.

Short answer

The two adaptations found in prokaryotic organisms that facilitate their survival in harsh environmental conditions are endospore formation and capsule formation.

Step-by-step solution

Prokaryotes

In the biological world, organisms are grouped in two broad categories in accordance with their cellular difference. Prokaryotes are organisms having a single-celled body composed of a prokaryotic cell.

Structurally, these cells lack membranous organelles, and the nucleus lies open in the cytoplasm.

Prokaryotic habitat diversity

The prokaryotes are microscopic in nature and are known to inhabit almost every region of the world. These organisms also have the potential to inhabit environments with harsh conditions like food shortage, high salt conditions, or the presence of toxins.

The habitat diversity of prokaryotes is due to their ability to develop certain structural components which facilitate their adaptation to harsh environmental conditions.

Endospore and Capsule adaptation 

Endospore is a dormant phase of prokaryote and is produced when food and other resources are not sufficient. An endospore stores the prokaryotic cell’s genome and inhibits metabolic processes to minimize energy expenditure; it can regrow into a prokaryotic organism if conditions become favorable.

The development of the capsule layer is another remarkable prokaryotic adaptation. It is a thick polysaccharide layer formed around the cell wall and functions to protect the organism against immune responses of the host cell.