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.)