Question

Mention the different types of archaebacteria.

Answer 1

The kingdom Monera is divided into two kingdoms namely:

1. Archaebacteria
2. Eubacteria

Archaebacteria:

1. Archaebacteria are autotrophic organisms that derive energy from the oxidation of chemicals for their metabolic activities.
2. Based on their environment archaebacteria can be classified into three groups namely, Methanogens, Thermoacidophiles, and Halophiles.

1. Methanogens: Methanogens produce methane due to their metabolic activities and die in the presence of oxygen. Examples - Methanococcus and Methanospirillum.
2. Thermoacidophiles: Thermoacidophiles occur in extremely hot and acidic conditions. These organisms use hydrogen sulphide as their energy source. Examples: Thermoplasma, Sulfolobus and Thermoproteus.
3. Halophiles: These archaebacteria occur in extremely salty environments such as the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake etc., Examples: brine shrimp and the larvae of brine flies.