• Superficially they look similar to bacteria, but chemically they are really different.
• They are prokaryotes (like bacteria), they have no nucleus and no organelles.
• Their DNA has proteins (histones) that organize and package it, like eukaryotic cells.
• The first ones were discovered in extreme environments, like Antarctica, geysers or in submarine volcanoes (Hydrothermal vents).
• Many others were discovered in the sea, deep caves and mines, geysers, waste deposits and even the guts of animals. It is possible that Archaea live all around the world, just like bacteria.
• They can live in substances that would be toxic to us (and most living beings), like extremely salty or hot water or in high concentrations of Sulphur, methane, or acid.
• Scientists agree that the most possible origin of eukaryotes (cells with nucleus like ours) could come from an archaea ancestor.

Arquea colony in salt crust; photo by Motorbikematt cc-by

Sources:

-The Tree of Life - www.tolweb.org:
-The Variety of Life, Colin Tudge, 2000

Citation: García, A.I. 2015. The Tree Of Nature (Online) at http://thetreeofnature.com

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