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Related Concept Videos

Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea01:27

Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea

The plasma membrane is an essential cellular structure responsible for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the selective transport of molecules. While bacteria and archaea share the fundamental function of plasma membranes, their structural and molecular differences reflect adaptations to distinct ecological and physiological challenges.Bacterial Plasma MembranesBacterial plasma membranes are predominantly composed of phospholipids with fatty acid chains ester-linked to a glycerol...
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope01:18

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
Prokaryotic Cells01:51

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains—Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common organisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins. However,...
Prokaryotic Cells01:28

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains — Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common microorganisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins.
Prokaryotic cells01:51

Prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains—Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common organisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins. However,...

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A multilayered cell envelope of a member of the Chloroflexota offers an anchoring platform for the archaellum.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
10:24

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

The archaeal cell envelope.

Sonja-Verena Albers1, Benjamin H Meyer

  • 1Molecular Biology of Archaea, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany. albers@mpi-marburg.mpg.de

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|May 17, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Archaea and bacteria share similarities, but archaeal cell envelopes differ significantly. This review explores archaea cell surface structures, including polymers and glycosylated proteins, crucial for environmental interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Archaea and bacteria exhibit superficial similarities but possess distinct cellular architectures.
  • The archaeal cell envelope, unlike the bacterial counterpart, typically features a single membrane.
  • A paracrystalline protein layer commonly encases the archaeal membrane.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of archaeal cell surface composition.
  • To highlight the diversity of structures archaea utilize for environmental interaction.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of archaeal cell envelope components.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on archaeal cell surfaces.
  • Analysis of published data on archaeal cell wall polymers.

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Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach
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Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach

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Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
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Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Published on: June 14, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
10:24

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach
09:57

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach

Published on: December 17, 2016

Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
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Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Published on: June 14, 2024

  • Compilation of information on O- and N-glycosylated proteins in archaea.

    • Main Results:

    • Archaea possess a diverse array of cell wall polymers.
    • Extracellular proteins in archaea are frequently modified by O- and N-glycosylation.
    • Various other cell surface structures contribute to archaeal environmental interactions.

    Conclusions:

    • The archaeal cell surface is characterized by unique and diverse molecular structures.
    • These structures play a vital role in how archaea interact with their surroundings.
    • Understanding archaeal cell surface composition is key to differentiating them from bacteria.