Kingdom Archaebacteria Taxonomy Life Science

Five Kingdom System 20 years ago, bacteria were all grouped in the same kingdom: Monera. With advances in molecular biology and DNA technology, scientists discovered that archaebacteria had cells that were intermediate between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. So, a sixth kingdom was added for these more advanced prokaryotic organisms: Archaebacteria

How are archaebacteria different from eubacteria? No peptidogylcan in cell walls Unique lipid bilayer in cell membrane RNA polymerase (protein enzyme) more similar to eukaryotes Ribosomal protein more similar to eukaryotes Not as diverse as eubacteria kingdom

Archaebacteria -achaio-comes from Greek meaning “ancient” -archaebacteria-probably evolved around the same time as eubacteria -discovered in extreme environments like deep sea volcanic trenches, boiling water, salt lakes, anaerobic conditions (without oxygen)

Types of Archaebacteria: Archaebacteria can be divided into three groups: Methanogens Thermoacidophiles Extreme halophiles

Extreme Halophiles Salt lovers Found in salt water where the salt concentration is much higher than the ocean Ex. Salt lakes in Utah, the Dead Sea

Methanogens Obligate anaerobes (oxygen will kill them) take hydrogen gas and use it to convert carbon dioxide into methane gas CH4 Produce marsh gas that can ignite causing many to believe that UFO’s are present (Everglades)

Thermoacidophiles Live in conditions with extreme temperatures and low pH (acidic conditions) Some can live in temperatures above 100 0C, which is the boiling point of water.

Archaebacteria -Can reproduce asexually by binary fission (Binary fission is the division of a prokaryotic cell. -Can reproduce sexually by conjugation. (During conjugation, two cells form a bridge of cytoplasm between their cell walls. They exchange genetic material through this bridge.)