Final answer:
The characteristics of archaea that support the statement that they may include the first life on Earth are their ability to thrive in extreme environments and their similarity to modern life forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of archaea that support the statement that they may include the first life on Earth and evolved under much different environmental conditions are:
- Their ability to thrive in extreme environments, such as hot springs and deep sea vents.
- Their similarity to modern life forms, suggesting that they may have evolved early in Earth's history.
These characteristics indicate that archaea were able to survive and adapt in the harsh conditions of ancient Earth, making them a likely candidate for the first life forms.