What is arquea?

Archaea is a domain of prokaryotic, single-celled microorganisms that are found in diverse environments, including extreme habitats such as hot springs, salt flats, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and acidic environments. They were once believed to be bacteria, but genetic and biochemical analyses have revealed that archaea are distinct from bacteria and share features with eukaryotes, such as complex RNA polymerases and histones that package DNA. Archaea are capable of various metabolic pathways to produce energy, including anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis, and chemosynthesis. Some archaea can also thrive in extreme conditions by utilizing unique compounds in their cell walls and membranes, such as ether-linked phospholipids instead of the ester-linked phospholipids found in bacteria and eukaryotes. Archaea play vital roles in biogeochemical cycles and have significant industrial applications such as bioremediation, biotechnology, and food production.