archaeon
Primitive single-celled organism
An archaeon is a single-celled microorganism belonging to the domain Archaea, one of the three fundamental divisions of life alongside bacteria and eukaryotes.
Though superficially similar to bacteria, archaea are genetically and biochemically distinct—many thrive in extreme environments like hot springs, salt lakes, and deep-sea vents.
The archaeon was isolated from a volcanic vent.
Plural: archaea.
Life in harsh conditions
- thermophileHeat-adapted living thing
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
- hydrothermal ventOcean floor hot spring
- hot springNaturally heated groundwater basin
Cell without nuclear membrane
- unicellularOne cell only
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- domainArea of control
- endosymbiosisOrganism living within another
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- phylogeneticOf evolutionary relationships
cladistics · 16S rRNA · ancestral · divergence · tree of life · monophyletic
Existing from the start
- ArcheanEarliest geological eon
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
- origin of lifeHow living things began
- ancientVery old indeed
extremophile
Life in harsh conditions
- thermophileHeat-adapted living thing
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
- hydrothermal ventOcean floor hot spring
prokaryote
Cell without nuclear membrane
- unicellularOne cell only
- ribosomeProtein synthesis site
- membraneThin tissue sheet
lipid · cell wall · flagellum · cytoplasm · plasmid · histones
phylogeny
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- domainArea of control
- endosymbiosisOrganism living within another
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
phylogenetic · cladistics · 16S rRNA · ancestral · divergence · tree of life · monophyletic
primordial
Existing from the start
- ArcheanEarliest geological eon
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
- origin of lifeHow living things began
- archaeological excavationSystematic unearthing of artifacts
- archaeological siteLocation of historic remains
- archaeological digOrganized unearthing of antiquities
- archaeological ruinsRemnants of past civilizations
- archaeological discoveryArtifact unearthed from antiquity
- archaeological discoveriesArtifacts uncovered through excavation
archaea, archaeology, archaeologist, archaeological, archaeologically, archaebacteria