Archaeal Diversity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the diversity and unique characteristics of Archaea as discussed in the lecture.

Euryarchaeota

A major superphylum of Archaea that contains several polyphyletic clades including methanogens.

Methanogens

Microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct in anoxic conditions.

Hyperthermophiles

Archaea that thrive at extremely high temperatures, often above 80°C.

Haloarchaea

Salt-loving archaea that often have photopigments and can perform light-driven ion pumping.

Ether-linked membranes

The characteristic cell membrane structure of Archaea, using ether links instead of ester links found in bacteria.

TACK superphylum

A superphylum of Archaea that includes Thaumarchaeota, Aigarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, often found in high-temperature environments.

Archaeal signatures

Key traits found only in Archaea, including unique membrane lipids and certain transcription factors.

Cenarchaeum symbiosum

A crenarchaeote that lives in symbiosis with the sponge Axinella mexicana, believed to produce antimicrobial agents.

Bacteriorhodopsin

A light-driven ion pump found in haloarchaea that aids in ATP production under anoxic conditions.

Anaerobic habitats

Environments where methanogens can thrive, such as wetlands, digestive tracts of animals, and landfills.

Thermococcus

A genus of Euryarchaeota that are anaerobic, thermophilic, and often use sulfur as a terminal electron acceptor.

Lokiarchaeota

A clade within the Asgard superphylum that shares similarities with eukaryotic traits, such as having an actin cytoskeleton.

Reverse gyrase

An enzyme unique to hyperthermophiles that maintains DNA supercoiling under high temperatures.

S-layer

A crystalline layer found on the surface of many archaea that provides protection and structural support.

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA)

Archaea that oxidize ammonia to nitrite and are significant players in the nitrogen cycle.