Unit 3 - Kingdom Archaea Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are archaea also called?
Extremophiles
Prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Prokaryotic
Unicellular or multicellular?
Unicellular
What environments were archaea first identified in?
Extreme environments with conditions that other organisms could not tolerate
What are the 4 groups of archaea?
Methanogens, halophiles, thermophiles, acidophiles
How are archaea different from bacteria?
Metabolic differences and key cell structural differences
What kinds of extreme conditions can archaea be found in?
High salt concentrations, extreme temperatures, high acidity, high sulphur concentrations, low oxygen areas, high altitudes
What are halophiles?
“Salt-lovers”
What habitats are halophiles found in
Salt lakes and inland seas
At what salt concentration can only halophiles survive? What are some of the highest concentrations that they can survive in?
Only halophiles survive after 20%, they can live in as high as 37%
What are methanogens?
Methane producers
What percent of natural methane do methanogens contribute to
Around 60%
What habitats are methanogens found in?
Swamps, marshes, rumen (stomach) of ruminants (cows, sheep, goats), human intestines, landfills, etc.
They thrive in oxygen free environments
What are thermophiles?
“Heat-lovers”
What are the habitats of thermophiles?
Deep sea vents and hot springs (both have temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius, and deep sea vents also have no sunlight)
What are acidophiles?
“Acid-lovers”
What are the habitats of acidophiles?
Volcanic crater lakes and mine drainage lakes (they have a pH of less than 3)
