Final answer:
The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Bacteria include species like Escherichia coli, Archaea include extremophiles such as Thermoplasma, and Eukarya encompass organisms with nuclei, such as plants, animals, and fungi.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Three Domains of Life
The three domains of life consist of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. These domains classify all living organisms based on cellular organization and genetics.
Bacteria
Examples of Bacteria include Escherichia coli (found in the human gut), Streptococcus (which can cause strep throat), and Cyanobacteria (photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments).
Archaea
The Archaea domain is known for including extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme environments. Examples are Thermoplasma (which lives in acidic and high-temperature environments), and Halobacteria (which thrives in high salt concentrations).
Eukarya
The domain Eukarya is distinguished by its members having cells with a nucleus and includes four kingdoms: plants, animals, fungi, and protists. Examples include Homo sapiens (humans), Quercus (oak trees), and Aspergillus (a genus of fungi).
Bacteria and Archaea are both prokaryotes, meaning they do not have a cellular nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Despite their similarities, there are distinct differences in their genetic and biochemical properties. In contrast, Eukarya are eukaryotic organisms with complex cellular structures, including a nucleus and organelles.