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Archaebacteria

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Define Archaebacteria

MVSAT 2024

Archaebacteria are one of the oldest living organisms (to be known) on Earth. They are classified as bacteria because many of their features resemble the bacteria when observed under a microscope. They belong to the kingdom Archaea and hence are named Archaebacteria. They share slightly common features with eukaryotes but are completely different from prokaryotes. They are known as extremophiles as they can easily survive under typically harsh conditions, for example, the bottom of the sea and the vents of a volcano.


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A Brief Introduction of Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria is called a primitive bacteria microorganism. It owns only a single cell and it lives in an environment where there is severity. The examples are extremely hot or salty (the most common instance is methanogens). In other words, Archaebacteria is not only a primitive but also a microorganism with single-cell (these are known as prokaryotes having zero cell nucleus. Every archaeon owns the capability of living in an extreme environment. 


Characteristics of Archaebacteria

Following listed are some of the basic as well as important characteristics of archaebacteria:-

  • They are obligate anaerobes, i.e., they grow abundantly in the absence of oxygen which is the reason why they are the only one who can go under the process of methanogenesis.

  • The cell membrane of an archaebacterium is the composition of lipids.

  • Under hypotonic conditions, the rigid cell wall protects it from bursting, and also provides shape and support to the archaebacteria.

  • The cell wall of pathogenic bacteria can be dissolved by the enzyme named lysozyme, which is released by the immune system of the host but the cell wall of archaebacteria is made up of Pseudomurein, which protects it from the adverse effect of the lysozyme. 

  • Membrane-bound organelles such as nuclei, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes, or chloroplast are found in archaebacteria. It has thick cytoplasm which contains all the essential compounds which are required for nutrition and metabolism.

  • Pressure up to 200 atmospheres can be withstood by them.

  • They reproduce asexually, through binary fusion.

  • They diverged from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes which is clearly depicted by the difference in their ribosomal RNA.

  • They can live under specifically harsh conditions, such as in acidic and alkaline aquatic regions, and can also survive in temperatures above the boiling point.

 

Types of Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria can be categorized on the basis of their phylogenetic relationship. Following listed are some of the major kinds of archaebacteria:-

  • Crenarchaeota:- The crenarchaeal is the kind of archaea that are found in a broad range of habitats. They can bear extreme heat and high temperatures due to the fact that they contain a special kind of protein that helps them to function at an absolute high temperature such as 230 degrees celsius. They are also found deep in the sea vents and also in hot springs. These consist of thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, and thermoacidophiles.

  • Euryarchaeota:- Unlike any living being on earth, they have the ability to produce methane and can survive under heavy alkaline conditions. This comprises methanogens and halophiles.

  • Korarchaeota:- They are believed to be the oldest living organisms on earth. They possess the genes that are common to Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota, hence all three are said to be descended from a common ancestor. They comprise hyperthermophiles.

  • Thaumarchaeota:- These are the typical kind of archaea that oxidize ammonia.

  • Nanoarchaeota:- It is the obligate symbiont of archaea and it belongs to the genus gonococcus.

 

Importance of Archaebacteria

Following points determine the importance of archaebacteria:-

  • Archaebacteria have made scientists reconsider the definition of species. Species are defined as a group with gene flow within its members whereas archaebacteria exhibit gene flow across its species.

  • Archaebacteria have the capability to produce methane, i.e., are methanogens. They do this by acting on the organic matter and hence decomposing it to release methane. Methane can hence for cooking and lighting purposes, therefore, these bacteria act as primary producers.

 

Did you Know?

  • Archaebacteria can not perform photosynthesis.

  • They do not produce spores, unlike bacteria.

  • 20% of all microbial cells living in the ocean are archaebacteria.

  • Archaea was discovered by Carl Woese in 1978.

  • Archaebacteria can only reproduce through the asexual mode.

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FAQs on Archaebacteria

1. Explain Archaebacteria with Help of Some Examples.

Following listed below are some examples of archaebacteria:-

Lokiarchaeota:- This is a thermophilic archaebacteria and is Generally found in the deep sea vents, which are known as Loki’s castle. Lokiarcheota has a unique genome, some of the genes of the genome are involved in phagocytosis. It is assumed that Lokiarcheota and eukaryotes shared a common ancestor billions of years ago, maybe due to which it also possesses eukaryotic genes that are used by eukaryotes to maintain their shapes.


Methanobrevibacter Smithii:- This bacteria produces methane and is usually found in the human gut. It plays an important role in the breakdown of plant sugar, and also helps us to extract energy and also helps us to extract energy from the food consumed by us. The chances of this bacteria being present in our gut increases for the people suffering from obesity and colon cancer. 

2. How does an Archaebacterium get Energy?

An archaebacterium gets energy in several different ways depending upon the type it is. Some archaea are lithotrophs, i.e, they obtain their energy from inorganic compounds such as sulfur or ammonia, and use an electron transport chain for the production of ATP. Other archaea which are phototrophs and obtain their energy from sunlight, however photosynthesis does not occur. Thus, these are all the crucial phases that are responsible for providing energy to an Archaebacterium in a hassle-free manner. 

3. What are the main traits of Archaebacteria? 

The first attribute of archaebacteria is obligate anaerobes. These grow in abundance when there is no oxygen level available. The reason behind it is that these are the only ones who are able to follow the process of methanogenesis. The next is the cell membrane that composes the lipids. Under the hypotonic situation, the stubborn cell wall safeguards the archaebacteria and also gives proper support and shape to it. Hence, this is how you can comprehend the prime features of Archaebacteria with this simple short description. 

4. What are the unique factors about Archaebacteria? 

Archaebacteria have a number of unique features such as not being able to perform photosynthesis. The second one is that this cannot produce the spores like the bacteria does. The 20% microbial cells who are living in an ocean are known as Archaebacteria. The third interesting factor is that this term was coined by Carl Woese in the year 1978 so say it was discovered by him. And the last but not the least is that this can reproduce only via an asexual mode. 

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Yes, why not! Vedantu covers everything related to  Archaebacteria as per the latest biology subject. You can prepare well with the detailed material drafted by the whole marked team of Vedantu who are experts of their subjects with a proven experience and successful track record. They pick every portion with an extra care and assure that nothing is presented in a way that students find complex to comprehend or resolve. Thus, Vedantu focus is not only on covering the topic, but makes it easy for resolving from the perspective of students. 


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