Archaea

• Domain: Archaic

• prokaryotes

• unicellular

• organisms that live in extreme conditions

• aka extremophiles

Possible environments that archaea can be found:

• high salt concentrations (brine pools)

• extreme temp (glaciers, edge of volcanoes, hot springs0

• high acidity (acid lakes)

• high sulphur (deep sea vents)

• low oxygen area (mud)

• high altitude (mountain tops)

Major Archaea groups:

Methanogens:

• release methane as a by-product

• found in anaerobic environments (no oxygen)

  • e.g. swamps, bogs

Halophiles:

• live in extremely salty environments

• name → “salt loving”

Thermophiles:

• live in extremely hot/warm environments

• name→ “heat loving”

• have special enzymes that protect from heat

  • e.g. Hot springs

Acidophiles

• live in extremely acidic environments

• name → “acid loving”

  • e.g. acid lakes

• usually pH 5 or lower