bsc- kingdom archaebacteria

• Prokaryotic

• Unicellular

• Cell Wall made of unique lipids and proteins (DO NOT have peptidoglycan)

• Extremophiles

Key Features of Archaebacteria

Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic or Both?

Unicellular or Multicellular or Both?

Cell wall made out of what?

Envoirnment?

Extremophiles

Organisms that live in extreme environments

1. Thermophiles

2. Halophiles

3. Acidic/Alkaline conditions

4. Methanogens

Types of Extremophiles (4)

Thermophiles

Live in extreme high temperatures 

Halophiles

Live in high salinity

Acidic/Alkaline Conditions

Live in conditions less or more than 7 on pH scale (anything but neutral)

Methanogens

Live in anaerobic environments

• Ribosomes are similar in size to bacterial ribosomes but structurally closer to eukaryotic ones

• Flagella- same function, but structurally diff from bacterial flagella

Structure of Archaebacteria

• Nutrient Cycling

• Biotechnology- Enzyme from extremophiles are used in PCR and industrial processes

• Symbiosis

• Early Earth Analogs- their ability to survive extreme conditions makes them important in studying the origin of life

Ecological Roles of Archaebacteria (4)

Methanogens help carbon cycling and decomposition

How are archaebacteria involved in Nutrient Cycling?

Classified into 3 major groups based on habitat and metabolism; Methanogens, Halophiles, Thermoacidophiles

How are Archaebacteria classified? What groups are there?

Methanogens

Group of archaebacteria that produce methane gas and live in anaerobic environments; crucial in carbon cycling and biogas production

Anaerobic Envoirnments

Locations without free oxygen; organisms must rely on alternative metabolic processes for energy (swamps, animal intestines)

Halophiles

Group of archaebacteria that live in extremely salty environments (salt lakes, mines) and use light-sensitive proteins for energy (NOT chlorophyll)

Thermoacidophiles

Group of archaebacteria that live in hot, acidic environments (volcanic vents, hot springs) and can survive temperatures above 80C and pH below 2