What is the Difference Between Eubacteria and Archaebacteria?

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Eubacteria and Archaebacteria are two distinct domains of prokaryotic organisms, each with unique characteristics and features. Here are the main differences between them:

  • Organization: Eubacteria are called true bacteria and have a higher degree of organization, while Archaebacteria are considered living fossils and can survive in extremely harsh environments, such as highly acidic, high-temperature, or methanogenic conditions.
  • Genome Sequences: Eubacteria have comparatively larger genome sequences, while Archaebacteria have comparatively smaller genome sequences.
  • Cell Wall Composition: The cell walls of Eubacteria contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid, while the cell walls of Archaebacteria contain repeating subunits of N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetyltalosaminuronic acid.
  • Cell Membrane: Eubacteria have a cell membrane consisting of a lipid bilayer, while Archaebacteria have a cell membrane that is a lipid monolayer consisting of Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraether.
  • Evolutionary History: Eubacteria include most of the commonly encountered bacterial forms, such as pathogenic bacteria and probiotic bacteria, while Archaebacteria consist of extremophiles, such as thermophiles, halophiles, and methanogens.

In summary, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria differ in their organization, genome sequences, cell wall composition, cell membrane structure, and evolutionary history. While Eubacteria are more commonly encountered and have a higher degree of organization, Archaebacteria are more primitive and ancient, with adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments.

Comparative Table: Eubacteria vs Archaebacteria

Here is a table comparing the differences between Eubacteria and Archaebacteria:

Feature Eubacteria Archaebacteria
Genome Sequence Comparatively larger Comparatively smaller
Cell Wall Subunits N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid N-Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetyltalosaminuronic acid
Cell Membrane Lipid bilayer Lipid monolayer consisting of Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraether
Chirality of Glycerol Linkage D-isomeric form L-isomeric form
Cell Wall Mainly composed of peptidoglycans with muramic acid Mainly composed of pseudo peptidoglycans
Growth and Reproduction Asexual reproduction in addition to spore formation Asexual reproduction - binary fission, fragmentation, and budding

Eubacteria, also known as true bacteria, have a larger genome size and a cell wall containing N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. Their cell membrane is a lipid bilayer, and they typically reproduce through asexual methods, including spore formation.

Archaebacteria, also known as living fossils, have a smaller genome size and a cell wall containing N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetyltalosaminuronic acid. Their cell membrane is a lipid monolayer consisting of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether, and they usually reproduce through binary fission, fragmentation, and budding.