Archaea
Sign in to saveArchaea ( ) is a domain of organisms. Traditionally, Archaea included only its prokaryotic members, but has since been found to be paraphyletic, as eukaryotes are known to have evolved from archaea. Even though the domain Archaea cladistically includes eukaryotes, the term archaea ( ; ) in English still generally refers specifically to prokaryotic members of Archaea.
AI overview
Archaea is a domain of single-celled organisms that were originally thought to be prokaryotes distinct from bacteria, though scientists have discovered that eukaryotes (including all animals, plants, and fungi) actually evolved from archaea. Today, the term "archaea" typically refers to the prokaryotic members of this group, even though technically eukaryotes are also part of the archaea domain from an evolutionary standpoint.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Subclass of
- microorganism
- Parent taxon
- Monera
- Image
- Archaea.png
Show 7 more facts
Article
39 sectionsContents
- Discovery and classification
- Early concept
- Classification
- Phylogeny
- Concept of species
- Prokaryotic phyla
- Valid phyla
- Candidate phyla
- Origin and evolution
- Comparison with other domains
- Relationship to bacteria
- Relation to eukaryotes
- Morphology
- Structure, composition development, and operation
- Cell wall and archaella
- Membranes
- Metabolism
- Genetics
- Horizontal gene transfer and genetic exchange
- Archaeal viruses
- Reproduction
- Behavior
- Communication
- Biofilms
- Ecology
- Habitats
- Role in chemical cycling
- Interactions with other organisms
- Mutualism
- Commensalism
- Parasitism
- Significance in technology and industry
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
- General
- Classification
- Genomics
Archaea ( ) is a domain of organisms. Traditionally, Archaea included only its prokaryotic members, but has since been found to be paraphyletic, as eukaryotes are known to have evolved from archaea. Even though the domain Archaea cladistically includes eukaryotes, the term archaea ( ; ) in English still generally refers specifically to prokaryotic members of Archaea.
Archaea were initially classified as bacteria, receiving the name archaebacteria (, in the Archaebacteria kingdom), but this term has fallen out of use. Archaeal cells have unique properties distinguishing them from Bacteria and Eukaryota, including: cell membranes made of ether-linked lipids; metabolisms such as methanogenesis; and a unique motility structure known as an archaellum. Archaea are further divided into multiple recognized phyla. Classification is difficult because most have not been isolated in a laboratory and have been identified only by their gene sequences in environmental samples. It is unknown whether they can produce endospores.