An Archaea is a single celled prokaryote whose cell lack a defined nucleus or membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and Golgi apparatus.An Archaea has a distinct molecular characteristics differentiating it from a bacteria.they reproduce asexually through binary fission and have a distinct feature of being able to survive in extreme hot environment.
General characteristics found in the Archaeal cell membrane include;
- The bilayer in the cell membrane of an Archaea has ether bond giving it the ability to resist chemical activities and as such survive in extreme environments. Unlike the bilayer in bacteria and eukaryotes that have ester bond.
- The cell membrane is stiff with a flat,rod-like or cubic shape
- Their cell membrane lies inside the cell wall controlling the exchange of substances between the cell and it's environment.
- The cell membrane of an Archaea uses long isoprenoid chains to make its unique phospholipids with fatty acids.
BACTERIA- A single celled prokaryote without a nucleus . Bacteria have varying shapes ranging from rod,spherical,spiral and comma shape.
General characteristics of a bacteria cell membrane include;
- The nucleoid of a bacteria has circular DNA.
- A bacteria lack membrane bound organelles example mitochondria and Golgi apparatus.
- Bacteria has a cell wall and a flagella which helps them too move.