Difference Between Archaebacteria and Eubacteria (With Table)

Eubacteria, also known as “true bacteria” are the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms that are found in many different areas around the world. They lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and their cell wall is made up of peptidoglycans in a cross-linked chain pattern. This structure helps them to maintain their shape and size. There are generally three types of eubacteria. They have various characteristics. 

Archaebacteria or the “ancient bacteria” are also unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms. They are generally found in ocean depths. They are capable of surviving in extreme environmental conditions. Archaebacteria are considered to be the modern form of some of the oldest bacteria found on earth. 

Comparison Table Between Archaebacteria and Eubacteria

What is Eubacteria?

Eubacteria, also known as “true bacteria” are the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms. They are found in different areas around the world. They live in soil, water, and even inside and on some other organisms.

All bacteria except the archaebacteria comes under eubacteria. Since they are prokaryotic, they lack a membrane-bound nucleus. Their cell wall is generally made up of peptidoglycans in a cross-linked chain pattern. This type of structure helps them to maintain their shapes and sizes.

Eubacteria have a wide range of characteristics like some bacteria have a flagellum, which is a structure made of proteins and is often used for movements. Some bacteria have pili that are small projects found on their bodies which helps them to stick on a surface or to transfer DNA. Some bacteria are even capable of forming a biofilm, which is a structure that has high antimicrobial resistance.

At certain unfavorable environmental conditions, eubacteria are capable of surviving by producing spores. It keeps them dominant over extreme conditions like high and low temperature or acidic, basic conditions, etc.

Eubacteria can reproduce through binary fission and budding. Eubacteria are usually classified into three different types, i.e. Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and miscellaneous.

What is Archaebacteria?

Archaebacteria are the unicellular prokaryotic organisms. Earlier they were considered to be the same as all the other forms of bacteria. However, after some profound studies and research, scientists discovered that archaebacteria are way different than the usual modern forms of bacteria.

Archaebacteria have very different genetics and biochemical properties. They are considered to be the modern form of very ancient types of bacteria that were found on earth, and therefore they are named “archaebacteria” where the word “archae” means ancient.

These bacteria can survive in extreme environmental conditions like high or low temperature, salty habitat, acidic basic conditions etc. they are generally found in sulphate rich ocean depths.

There are a lot of characteristics of archaebacteria that makes them different from any other form of bacteria like the unique cell membrane chemistry or the unique gene transcription etc.

archaebacteria are often classified into three different forms i.e.

1. Chrenarchoeta, these archaebacteria are capable of tolerating extreme heat.
2. Euryarchaeota, are capable of surviving in harsh salty habitat.
3. Koranchaeota is considered to be the oldest form of archaebacteria and still has a lot of information to be discovered about.

Main Differences Between Eubacteria and Archaebacteria

1. Archaebacteria have a simple organization of structure, whereas eubacteria have a complex system.
2. The cell walls of archaebacteria are made up of pseudo peptidoglycans, whereas eubacteria’s cell walls are made up of peptidoglycans with muramic acid.
3. Archaebacteria are found in extreme environmental conditions, whereas eubacteria are found everywhere.
4. Archaebacteria have three types, i.e., Crenarchoeta, Euryarchaeota, and Koranchaeota, while eubacteria are also classified into three types, i.e., Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and Miscellaneous.
5. The size of archaebacteria is around 0.1 – 15 μm in diameter. At the same time, eubacteria have a size of 0.5 – 5 μm in diameter.
6. Archaebacteria have an asexual mode of reproduction like binary fission and budding; however, eubacteria, along with binary fission and budding, produce spores to stay dominant in extreme conditions.
7. Archaebacteria are found in the depths of the ocean; in contrast, eubacteria are found everywhere, like in soils, water; some are even found inside and on other organisms.

Conclusion

Eubacteria and archaebacteria are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms. These are two different domains of the kingdom monera.

Eubacteria are found in various areas around the world. They can live anywhere like soil, water, inside or on another organism. Eubacteria have a complex structural organization. the cell wall of eubacteria is made up of peptidoglycan with muramic acid.

They reproduce through binary fusion and budding. Along with this, eubacteria often produces spores to survive in extreme conditions. They have a size of about 0.5 – 5 μm in diameter. Eubacteria are usually classified into three types, i.e. Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and Miscellaneous.

On the other hand, archaebacteria are usually defined as the modern form of very ancient types of bacteria. They have a simple structure and are often found in ocean depths. Their cell walls are made of pseudo peptidoglycan.

Archaebacteria are capable of surviving extreme conditions like high or low temperature, too salty habitat, etc. they have a size of about 0.1 – 15 μm in diameter. They reproduce through binary fusion and budding. Archaebacteria are usually classified into three forms, i.e. Crenarchoeta, Euryarchaeota, and Koranchaeota.

References

1. https://www.pnas.org/content/86/23/9355.short
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00270794