The hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, USA, were the first places Archaeans and microbes were discovered. Domain Archaea/Archaebacteria : In the 1970s, while studying the relationships among prokaryotes using DNA sequences, a scientist named Carl Woese discovered some “unusual ” organisms that appear to be very distinct from prokaryotes and eukaryotes
These seemingly “unusual ” organisms were neither prokaryotes nor eukaryotes. The extreme difference in the genetic and molecular levels lead scientists to the discovery of the third domain of life – the Domain Archaea .
Members of the domain Archaea, or simply Archaeans, are incredibly abundant in environments that are hostile to all other life forms; hence, their place among other living organisms long went unrecognized.
The domain Archaea is a remarkably diverse and successful clade of organisms. Let us take a closer look and find out why :
History of the Domain Archaea Before its separation, the domain Archaea was formerly called the domain “Archaebacteria “, which is a misnomer since these organisms were not bacteria
The name “Archaebacteria ” was previously an untested hypothesis about the evolutionary status of the organisms having a type of metabolic ability that seems to be highly suited to the primordial conditions of life on Earth Therefore, there is a substantial possibility that this new group of organisms is the oldest . The three domains of life are illustrated below, showing that each is very distinct from the others.
Characteristics of Archaea Source: Flickr While Archaeans indeed look and appear like most bacteria, they are
biochemically and
genetically distinct from them. Scientific studies reveal that they are even closer to their
eukaryotic counterparts rather than the prokaryotic ones.
One of the most distinguishing traits of these organisms is their ability to inhibit some of the most extreme environments (hence, they are sometimes referred to as “extremophiles “). Some of them thrive in hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean at temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius high . Some of them live in either extraordinarily acidic or basic waters, while some are found to inhibit the digestive tracts animals In terms of reproduction asexual reproduction binary fission , Meaning, the genetic material (DNA ) duplicates as the cell wall
Intermediate Characteristics of Archaebacteria The members of the domain Archaebacteria possess a curious mix of the characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The table below showcases some of those intermediate traits.
PROKARYOTIC TRAITS EUKARYOTIC TRAITS Circular chromosome DNA contains histones and other nucleosome-like structures Has operons but lack introns Mechanism for DNA replication, transcription, and translation Able to perform metabolic functions like energy generation, synthesis of polysaccharides, and nitrogen fixation Has the RNA polymerase for transcription, and initiation and elongation factors for translation
However, Archaeans have some genes that are not like any found in anything else.
For instance, Archaeans that thrive in extremely saline environments have unique defensive molecules and mechanisms from breaking the cells out.
Another thing is that some Archaeans have molecules that come in contact with acids to help prevent them from bursting.
Three Types of Archaebacteria The domain Archaea is a group of unusual organisms and is known to include three groups: methanogens , extreme halophiles , and thermoacidophiles .
1. Methanogens Methane Producing Archaea From Cow’s Burps As their name suggests, methanogens are Archaeans that are capable of producing methane (gas), and this amazing ability to produce methane makes them easily distinguishable in the digestive tract (intestines).
These organisms are found in environments that have no oxygen (anoxic ): in muddy marshes and swamps, and the digestive tracts of cows, termites, and marine life Methanogens get their energy from their utilization of hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2 ). At present, two methanogens have already had their complete sequenced genome: Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and Methanothermobacter thermoautotrophicus . The chemical equation for methane gas is:
4H2 + CO2 => CH4 (Marsh Gas) + 2H2 O
2. Extreme Halophiles Great Salt Lake in Utah Halophiles (coming from the Greek word “
hals ” which means “
sea ” or “
salt “), are a type of Archaea that inhabit extremely salty environments like the Dead Sea or the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
Interestingly, these extreme halophiles produce the pigment bacteriorhodopsin that gives them the ability to utilize sunlight as the source of energy plants Aside from the sea, halophiles can also live in the soil if the salt level is very high.
3. Thermoacidophiles Sully Vent (aka Black Smokers) in Northeastern Pacific Ocean. Thermoacidophiles, as their name suggests, are Archaea that thrive in both hot and acidic environments, especially in those near sulfur hot springs.
The ideal temperature and pH levels for thermoacidophiles are at 70 degrees Celsius (and higher) and pH levels of 1 or 2 (similar pH as concentrated sulfuric acid. However, when subjected to lower temperatures below 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit), they die. Despite this, it is essential to note that not all Archaea are extremophiles . Many of them thrive in normal environmental conditions
Importance of Archaea (Commercial Uses) Archaeans in Detergents Because of their tolerance to high temperatures and relatively extreme environments, some members of the domain have already been exploited for a wide variety of commercial uses.
These Archaea become the source of enzymes that are usually added to detergents to help them maintain their activity even at higher temperatures and pH. Some enzymes from Archaea are also used to convert cornstarch into the fiber dextrin . Some Archaea also bear the potential for bioremediation or help in cleaning contaminated sites The thermophilic Archaea, Thermus aquaticus, is an essential part of the development of molecular biology Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR ).
Currently, members of the domain Archaea may be the only organisms that can survive in extreme habitats. Much is still to be discovered about these microorganisms, and as the advancement of technology becomes more extensive, the understanding of the microscopic world becomes more comprehensive as well.
Soon, we might as well be introduced to new domains of life that were previously unknown to science or creatures that were not imagined even to exist. Who knows?
Cite This Page
“Archaebacteria: The Third Domain of Life Missed by Biologists for Decades – Scientific American” . Accessed March 13, 2017. Link .“Archaebacteria – Groups Of Archaebacteria – Genetic, Organelle, Cell, and Called – JRank Articles” . Accessed March 13, 2017. Link .
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