- Archaebacteria derive the energy for their metabolic activities , from the oxidation of chemical energy sources, such as reduced gases– ammonia,methane or hydrogen sulphide. In the presence of any of these chemicals, archaebacteria can manufacture their own amino acids and proteins.
- The category in the kingdom Monera which consists of the organisms surviving in extremely hot conditions.
- They are considered to be the most ancient living organisms present on the planet.
Archaebacteria are further divided into three groups:
a. Methanogens:
- They manufactures methane.
- They die in the presence of oxygen.
- They are found in swamp and marshes , in which all the oxygen has been consumed by the other organisms living in those environments.
b. Thermoacidophiles:
- These archaea favour extremely hot and acidic environments.
- Many thermoacidophiles use hydrogen sulphide as their energy source.
c. Halophiles:
- These archaea grow in very salty environments, such as Great Salt lake and the dead Sea.
- These environments are extremely alkaline.
