Archaea

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Archaea

Archaea (pronounced: /ɑːrˈkiːə/), are a group of single-celled microorganisms. They are one of the three domains of life, the others being Bacteria and Eukaryota.

Etymology

The term "Archaea" comes from the Greek word αρχαία, meaning "ancient things". This is due to the belief that archaea represent a form of life that predates bacteria and eukaryotes.

Characteristics

Archaea are similar to other organisms in that they have a cell membrane and a cytoplasm, but they are unique in that their cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan, a substance found in the cell walls of many other organisms. Instead, archaea have a cell wall composed of a variety of other substances, including proteins and polysaccharides.

Classification

Archaea were originally classified as a group of bacteria, known as Archaebacteria, but this classification was changed in the 1970s when it was discovered that archaea have a unique genetic makeup that distinguishes them from both bacteria and eukaryotes.

Habitat

Archaea are known to inhabit a wide range of environments, including extreme ones such as hot springs, salt lakes, and the deep sea. Some archaea are also found in the human gut, where they play a role in digestion.

Related Terms

  • Prokaryote: A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and other organelles. Both archaea and bacteria are prokaryotes.
  • Extremophile: An organism that thrives in physically or geochemically extreme conditions that are detrimental to most life on Earth. Many archaea are extremophiles.
  • Methanogen: A type of archaea that produces methane as a metabolic byproduct. Methanogens are often found in the guts of animals, including humans.

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