Science glossary film: Archaea

A type of prokaryotic organism lacking a cell nucleus, similar to bacteria but now considered as a domain in their own right. When archaea were first discovered, they were seen as extremophiles, primitive bacteria from extreme environments such as salt lakes, deep sea vents and hot springs. It is now known that their biochemistry and genetic make-up is in fact closer to that of the eukaryotes than bacteria.

When archaea were first discovered, they were seen as extremophiles, primitive bacteria from extreme environments such as salt lakes, deep sea vents and hot springs. It is now known that their biochemistry and genetic make-up is in fact closer to that of the eukaryotes than bacteria.