Archaea

Single-celled microorganisms distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes.

archaebacteria

Archaea are single-celled microorganisms, distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes. They often thrive in extreme environments (e.g., hot springs, salt lakes) but are found everywhere. Archaea share some bacterial characteristics but have unique cell wall and genetic features, indicating a separate domain of life.

Pronunciation

/ɑːrˈkiːə/

Etymology

Archaea is derived from the Greek word 'archaios' meaning 'ancient'.

Explain Like I’m 5

Archaea are tiny, single-celled organisms that were once thought to be bacteria but are now known as a separate group of life, often found in extreme environments like hot springs.

Fun Facts

Some archaea can survive incredibly high temperatures
They don't have a nucleus like plants and animals
Some produce methane, a greenhouse gas

FAQ

What are archaea? Single-celled organisms
Are they bacteria? No, they are distinct from bacteria
Where do they live? Often in extreme environments

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

Microorganism Prokaryote

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

Methanogens Halophiles Thermophiles

Meronyms — Parts or Components

Cell membrane Ribosomes DNA

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Domain of Life

Indexes

organism

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