MICROBIOLOGY: EVOLV.SCI.-W/ACCESS>CI<
MICROBIOLOGY: EVOLV.SCI.-W/ACCESS>CI<
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780393622805
Author: SLONCZEWSKI
Publisher: Norton custom
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 19, Problem 1RQ
Summary Introduction

To review:

The distinctive structures of archaeal cell membrane and envelope.

Introduction:

Archaea are unicellular microorganisms that are similar to bacteria. Archaea lack true nucleus and hence, are considered prokaryotic. As their molecular characteristics are distinct, they are different from other prokaryotes such as bacteria. Archaea live in extreme conditions such as salt lakes, hot spring, and are even found in the gut of ruminant animals. They have specialized systems that help them tolerate such extreme conditions.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Archaeal signatures are the distinctive traits of Archaea. These traits include components of the cell membrane and certain metabolic pathways. Some of the distinctive features of Archaea are described as follows:

Isoprenoid membranes: The membrane lipids of Archaea are entirely different from bacteria and eukaryotes. Archaeal lipids remain stable in extreme temperature and acidity. The distinctive structure of archaeal lipids that distinguishes them from bacteria and eukaryotes are mentioned below:

1. L-glycerol: Instead of D (dextrorotatory)-glycerol, Archaea have L (levorotatory)-glycerol. The chiral forms show similar stability but they require different enzymes for their biochemical activities.

2. Ether linkage: The side chains and glycerol units are linked by ether linkage instead of ester links. Ether bonds have higher stability as compared to ester bonds.

3. Isoprenoid chains: Archaeal lipids have branched methyl chains at every fourth carbon that arise by the condensation of isoprene units. These condensed chains are called isoprenoids.

4. Cross-linking lipids: Cross-linkage is formed by covalent bonds either between adjacent lipids or between the lipids present on the opposite side of the membrane. A tetramer is formed at the cross-linking of the two pairs of lipid chains.

5. Cyclopentane rings: In some Archaea, cyclopentane rings are formed and they provide stability to membranes at high temperatures.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
You aim to test the hypothesis that the Tbx4 and Tbx5 genes inhibit each other's expression during limb development. With access to chicken embryos and viruses capable of overexpressing Tbx4 and Tbx5, describe an experiment to investigate whether these genes suppress each other's expression in the limb buds. What results would you expect if they do repress each other? What results would you expect if they do not repress each other?
You decide to delete Fgf4 and Fgf8 specifically in the limb bud. Explain why you would not knock out these genes in the entire embryo instead.
You implant an FGF10-coated bead into the anterior flank of a chicken embryo, directly below the level of the wing bud. What is the phenotype of the resulting ectopic limb?  Briefly describe the expected expression domains of 1) Shh, 2) Tbx4, and 3) Tbx5 in the resulting ectopic limb bud.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Chapter 5 Microbial Metabolism; Author: Heather Davis;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH_HrsfDWZw;License: Standard Youtube License