Final answer:
While symbiosis may affect metabolism, reproduction, and evolution of Archaea, it typically does not alter their basic cell structure, such as the cytoplasmic membrane. Methanogen Archaea retain their ability to use H2 to oxidize CO2, a structural feature crucial for energy capture and use, which typically remains unchanged in symbiotic relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cellular properties of Archaea that remain unaffected by symbiosis are likely to include basic cellular structure, as symbiosis often doesn't alter the physical composition of microbial cell walls and membranes. These would include the cytoplasmic membrane which is a common structure shared by Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, indicating a common evolutionary origin. However, when considering the entire range of cellular properties such as metabolism, reproduction, and evolution, symbiosis can influence these aspects based on the interaction between the symbiotic partners.
For example, methanogen Archaea may retain their unique cell structure even in symbiotic relationships, which includes features that enable them to capture, store, and use free energy, such as their ability to use H2 to oxidize CO2. This aspect of their structure is fundamental and likely remains unchanged in a symbiotic context. Other non-structural cellular properties like their reproductive systems or their metabolic pathways might be more susceptible to influences through symbiotic relationships due to the need for interaction and adaptation to the symbiotic partner's presence.
Exploring how Archaea's unique abilities, such as the metabolic processes of archaean methanogens using CO2 to oxidize H2, fit into the broader context of prokaryotic energy use is critical for understanding microbial evolution. Yet, such physiological and evolutionary adjustments do not necessarily result in structural modifications of cellular components that are fundamental to the archaeal lineage, such as cell walls or membranes.