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Questions and Answers
At what temperature can Pyrolobus fumarii grow?
What is unique about the cell walls of Thermoplasma?
What is a byproduct of methanogens' metabolism that can be used as fuel?
Where would you typically find Sulfolobus?
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What is a characteristic of Halobacterium?
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What is a potential environmental concern related to methane production by methanogens?
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What is the general shape of Archaea cells?
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What is unique about the cell wall of Archaea?
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What is the main difference between Organotrophs and Autotrophs?
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What is the name of the process that involves the production of methane?
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Which of the following Archaea is known for its ability to reduce sulfur?
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What is Pyrolobus fumarii known for?
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What is Sulfolobus acidocaldarius used for?
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Which group of Archaea includes 'methane-makers'?
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Study Notes
Methanogens: Methane Makers
- Obligate anaerobes that produce methane (CH4) as an end product of metabolism
- Use CO2, H, and N to produce energy for living
- CO2 + 4 H2 → CH4 + 2 H2O
- Found in anaerobic systems, including rumen of cows, human gut, marine sediments, hot springs, and marine hydrothermal vents
- Methane can be used as a fuel, but it's a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming
Extreme Halophiles
- Salt-loving microbes that require high salt concentrations (17-23% w/v NaCl) to grow
- Example: Halobacterium in Owens Salt lake
- Will not grow without high salt concentrations
Cell Wall-less Archaea
- Found in coal mine piles, causing temperatures to rise
- Cause mine dumps to become acidic due to pyrite (FeS2) formation
- Can grow at 59°C
- Shape of Thermoplasma changes after taking in liquid
Extreme Thermophiles
- Prefer temperatures between 88-113°C
- Obligate anaerobes that can 'breathe' sulfur instead of oxygen
- Both autotrophic and heterotrophic
- H2SO4 is an end product of their metabolism
- Example: Pyrolobus fumarii can grow at 113°C
Archaea Characteristics
- Shapes: spherical, rod, spiral, lobed, rectangular, irregular, flat, square
- Arrangement: single cells, filaments, clusters
- Until 1970, classified as bacteria
- Unique cell wall composition with complex polysaccharides and lack of peptidoglycan
- Presence of unusual lipids enables survival in extreme environments
Archaea Metabolism
- Organotrophs: obtain energy from organic compounds
- Autotrophs: known as "producers," making their own food from raw materials and energy
- CO2 fixers and N2 fixers
Archaea Uniqueness
- Unique cell wall composition
- Presence of unusual lipids enables survival in extreme environments
- Found in diverse range of extreme environments
Notable Archaea
- Archaeoglobus fulgidus: sulfur-reducer that can sour (H2S) oil wells
- Halobacterium: salt-loving microbes that give a pink tinge to salt water evaporation ponds, the Dead Sea, and salted fish
- Pyrolobus fumarii: led scientists to extend the upper temperature limit for life to 113°C
- Pyrococcus furiosis: source of an extra-stable enzyme used in PCR and gene sequencing
- Sulfolobus acidocaldarius: used to leach copper and iron from ore
5 Main Groups of Archaea
- Methanogens ("methane-makers")
- Archaea sulphate reducers
- Extreme halophiles ("salt lovers")
- Cell wall-less archaea
- Extreme thermophiles/psychrophiles ("heat/cold lovers")
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Description
This quiz covers the characteristics, metabolism, ecology, and taxonomy of Archaea, a domain of microorganisms that are prokaryotic and extreme-loving. It also explores their unique features and differences from Bacteria.
