When considering life on Earth, humans, plants, and exotic animals, such as lions and giraffes, often come to mind. However, there is a tendency to overlook the many species of microscopic organisms, which, actually, outnumber all the bugs, mammals, birds, and plants on planet Earth combined. These microscopic organisms exist in nearly every environment on Earth, regardless of how extreme the climate, from deep-sea thermal vents to the highest peaks of the Himalayas.

These microscopic organisms vary significantly, with some microorganisms like water bears resembling four-legged creatures, others resembling long, wiggling worms, and still more not resembling anything known to man.

The Earth's oceans in particular contain a wide variety of microorganisms, some with the ability to glow in t

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