Bacteria vs Archaea: What Makes Them Different?

When comparing bacteria and archaea, it is important to note their key differences that set them apart. The majority of both bacteria and archaea are unicellular and prokaryotic. However, one of the notable distinctions lies in the types of molecules that make up their cellular structures.

Bacteria have a unique compound called peptidoglycan in their cell walls. This compound provides structural support and helps protect the cell from external threats. On the other hand, archaea have distinctive phospholipids in their plasma membrane. These phospholipids have hydrocarbon tails that contain isoprene, which is different from the fatty acids found in bacterial plasma membranes.

Overall, the presence of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls and phospholipids with isoprene-containing hydrocarbon tails in archaeal plasma membranes are key factors that differentiate these two groups of microorganisms.