What is the difference between bacteria and archaea?
Cell Wall Composition
Bacteria and archaea both have cell walls, but the composition of these walls sets them apart. Bacteria have cell walls predominantly made of peptidoglycan, a complex molecule that provides structural support and protection to the cell. In contrast, archaea have cell walls made of different materials such as pseudo-peptidoglycan, which is distinct from the peptidoglycan found in bacteria.
Membrane Lipids
The lipids that make up the cell membrane in bacteria and archaea are also different. Bacterial cell membranes consist of fatty acids that are linked by ester bonds, whereas archaeal cell membranes are composed of isoprenoid chains linked by ether bonds. This distinction in membrane lipid composition is a key characteristic that helps differentiate bacteria from archaea.