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Amazing Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria are divided up into three main Phyla: Methanogens, Extreme Halophiles, and Thermoacidophiles. These bacteria generally live in places that are practically uninhabitable to other species. They are anerobic and can live without oxygen. They mainly get their energy from from inorganic molecules or from light. They are thought to be the oldest living organisms on earth.

Methanogens are anaerobic methane producers and most species use carbon dioxide as a carbon source. They are often found in soil, swamps, and the digestive tract of animals, particularly grazing mammals such as cattle. Also inhabit the human large intestine. They produce close to 2 billion tons of methane gas annually.

Extreme Halophiles live in environments with very high salt content including the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake. They are nearly all aerobic and gram-negative.

Thermoacidophiles inhabit very hot environments that are quite often acidic. Some species can stand temperatures of 230 degrees F. They nearly all require sulfur and are anaerobes.

(Proteus vulgaris) This Proteus vulgaris generally resides in soils, but if it gets into the digestive tact, it is liable to cause illness and infections. It ferments sugars in anaerobic conditions but can use a wide range of organic molecules in aerobic conditions as well. They are gram-negative and very closely related to salmonella. In a colony, the cells with swarm together. It also has the ability to degrade urea into ammonia.

Archaebacteria Links

  • The Microbial World: Proteus vulgarius
  • Archaebacteria Kingdom
  • Archaebacteria: A Life Form On Mars?

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