What is the Difference Between Archaebacteria and Eubacteria Cell Wall?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between the cell walls of Archaebacteria and Eubacteria lies in their composition. Here are the key differences:

  • Eubacteria: Also known as true bacteria, Eubacteria have cell walls that are largely composed of the polymer peptidoglycan. They have a higher degree of organization and their cell walls contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid.
  • Archaebacteria: The cell walls of Archaebacteria are formed from the linking of other polymers and generally do not contain peptidoglycan. They have a comparatively smaller genome and their cell walls contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetyltalosaminuronic acid. Archaebacterial cell walls are more similar to gram-positive bacteria.

These differences in cell wall composition can impact the bacteria's structure and function, as well as their resistance to certain antibiotics that target peptidoglycan synthesis.

Comparative Table: Archaebacteria vs Eubacteria Cell Wall

The main differences between Archaebacteria and Eubacteria cell walls are the composition and structure of their cell walls. Here is a table highlighting these differences:

Feature Archaebacteria Eubacteria
Cell Wall Composition Lack peptidoglycan Contains peptidoglycan
N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid Yes Yes, but not in all cases
N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylatalosaminuronic Acid Yes No
Cell Wall Structure Four different types: pseudopeptidoglycan, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, or pure protein One type: peptidoglycan

Archaebacteria cell walls lack peptidoglycan, which is present in Eubacteria cell walls. The cell walls of Archaebacteria contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid or N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylatalosaminuronic acid, whereas Eubacteria cell walls contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid. Archaebacteria have four different types of cell walls, including pseudopeptidoglycan, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, or pure protein, while Eubacteria have a single type of cell wall composed of peptidoglycan.