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Archaea (/ ɑːr ˈ k iː ə / ⓘ ar-KEE-ə) is a domain of organisms.Traditionally, Archaea only included its prokaryotic members, but this sense has been found to be paraphyletic, as eukaryotes are now known to have evolved from archaea.
The three-domain system adds a level of classification (the domains) "above" the kingdoms present in the previously used five- or six-kingdom systems.This classification system recognizes the fundamental divide between the two prokaryotic groups, insofar as Archaea appear to be more closely related to eukaryotes than they are to other prokaryotes – bacteria-like organisms with no cell nucleus.
The cellular components of prokaryotes are not enclosed in membranes within the cytoplasm, like eukaryotic organelles.Bacteria have microcompartments, quasi-organelles enclosed in protein shells such as encapsulin protein cages, [4] [5] while both bacteria and some archaea have gas vesicles.
In 1937 Édouard Chatton introduced the terms "prokaryote" and "eukaryote" to differentiate these organisms. [9] In 1938, Herbert F. Copeland proposed a four-kingdom classification by creating the novel Kingdom Monera of prokaryotic organisms; as a revised phylum Monera of the Protista, it included organisms now classified as Bacteria and Archaea.
A speculatively rooted tree for RNA genes, showing major branches Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota The three-domain tree and the eocyte hypothesis (two-domain tree), 2008. [7] Phylogenetic tree showing the relationship between the eukaryotes and other forms of life, 2006. [8] Eukaryotes are colored red, archaea green, and bacteria blue.
Prokaryotic cells probably transitioned into eukaryotic cells between 2.0 and 1.4 billion years ago. [31] This was an important step in evolution. In contrast to prokaryotes, eukaryotes reproduce by using mitosis and meiosis. Sex appears to be a ubiquitous and ancient, and inherent attribute of eukaryotic life. [32]
The tree of life. Two domains of life are Bacteria (top branches) and Archaea (bottom branches, including eukaryotes). The two-domain system is a biological classification by which all organisms in the tree of life are classified into two domains, Bacteria and Archaea.
The presence of eukaryotic biomarkers in archaea points towards an archaeal origin. The genomes of Asgard archaea have plenty of eukaryotic signature protein genes, which play a crucial role in the development of the cytoskeleton and complex cellular structures characteristic of eukaryotes.