THE CORRECT ANSWER IS (A). THE PASSAGE INDICATES THAT PRIOR TO THE...
7. The correct answer is (A). The passage indicates that prior to the discovery of
extremophiles the thermal threshold was set at 60 degrees centigrade “because it was
thought that the molecular integrity of vital cellular components could not be
maintained beyond such temperatures.” It can be inferred that if extremophiles can live
and thrive past 60 degrees centigrade, they can maintain molecular integrity past the
previous thermal threshold. Hence, choice (A) is the correct answer. (The passage does
not mention extremophiles existing in moderate environments, so choice (B) cannot be
inferred from the passage.)