Archaebacteria economic importance:

• This are anaerobes, where they produce some metabolic

products such as methane, where these products are the
reservoirs of natural gas, example is methanococcus.
• Some of the halophilic archaea carry some processes
which are economically very important such as
biodegradation, bioremediation and environmental
processes.
• Some Thermophilic archaea have enzymes which have
an important role in the application of methane
production, metal leaching and immobilized enzyme
systems.
• Archaea such as Sulfolobus acidocaldarius are been
utilized for bioleaching purpose
• Though bacteria are better used for bioremediation,
there are few archaea which can be utilized for certain
kind of remediation of a polluted site.
• Combination of acidophilic and alkaliphilic archaea
can be used for the production of microbial fuel cells/
• Extraction of silver and other metals from the E-
waste can also be carried using archaea.

Types of Archaebacteria: Archaebacteria are classified on the basis of their phylogenetic relationship. The
major types of Archaebacteria are discussed below:
Crenarchaeota: The Crenarchaeota are Archaea, which exist in a broad range of habitats.
Euryarchaeota; These can survive under extremely alkaline conditions and have the ability to produ ce
methane, unlike any other living being on earth. These include methanogens and halophiles.
Korarchaeota: They possess the genes common with Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. All three are
believed to have descended from a common ancestor. These are supposed to be the oldest surviving organism
on earth. These include hyperthermophiles.
Thaumarchaeota: These include archaea that oxidize ammonia.
Nanoarchaeota: This is an obligate symbiont of archaea belonging to the genus Ignicoccus.
Archaebacteria Vs Eubacteria
Eubacteria Archaebacteria
They have comparatively larger genome sequences. They have comparatively smaller genome sequences.
Their cell walls contain repeating subunits of N- Their cell walls contain repeating subunits of N-
Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetylmuramic Acid. Acetylglucosamine and N-Acetyltalosaminuronic acid.
Their cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer. Their cell membrane is a lipid monolayer consisting of
Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraether.
Eubacteria has photosynthetic members. whereas Archaea has not.
Transcription factors are needed for the protein but not in Archaea.
synthesis in eubacteria,
Found Everywhere in earth. Found in extreme environments.
Mycoplasma Vs Bacteria
Details Mycoplasma Bacteria
About Bacterial genus lacking a cell wall Microscopic entities that are ubiquitous
Shape Usually spherical to filamentous Spiral, coccus, bacillus
Shape Irregularity in shape, they are highly pleomorphic Due to the presence of a rigid cell wall, their
shape is definite
Type Gram-negative, aerobic or facultative aerobic bacteria It can be of any type
Genome It has a low molecular weight The genome of bacterial species varies
 Actinomycetes
Actinomycete is a heterogenous group of bacteria that are gram-positive, filamentous, with a branched growth
pattern. They grow in mycelium or extensive colonies. Though they are bacteria, they are a group of unique
organisms that can be studied separately.
Actinomycetes Classification
Kingdom Bacteria
Phylum Actinomycetota
Class Actinomycetia
Order Actinomycetales
Characteristics and Morphology
• They are prokaryotic and range in size
from 1-2 µm in diameter.
• They are mostly aerobic organisms but
some can be anaerobic as well.
• They inhabit the soil commonly, but may
be found in marine environments as well.
• The mycelium of actinomycetes
sometimes breaks apart to form coccoid or
rod-shaped colonies.
• Many members of actinomycetes are also
known to form spores with the sporangia or
spore case being found on the aerial
hyphae.
• They are easily infected by
bacteriophages, and the phages that infect
actinomycetes are called actinophages.
• They sometimes possess a flagella that
gives them motility.
• The members of the group range from
harmless bacteria to pathogenic species to
extremely useful antibiotic producers.
• They sometimes resemble the hyphae of
fungal species; however, they can be
distinguished on the basis of size, the
actinomycetes being much smaller.
• They are able to act on different soil
substrates such as less degradable insects
and plant polymers such as cellulose, chitin
and hemicellulose.
• They are found in an abundance of 5-40
CFU/ml in the marine environment.
• In soil, they are found in the abundance of
10 6 -10 8 /g.
Nocardia asteroids, Nocardia uniformis,
Actinomyces sp, Streptomyces griseus,
Streptomyces venezuelae.
Classification: Actinomycetes have seven families, based on the hyphal and reproductive structures.
1. Streptomycetaceae: Examples: Streptomyces, Microdlobaspone and Sporoctilhya.
2. Nocardiaceae: Examples: Nocardia, Pseudonocardia.
3. Micromonosporaceae:Examples: Micromonospora, Thermonospora, Thermoactinomycetes, Actinobifida
4. Actinoplanaceae: Examples: Streptosporangium, Actinoplanes, Plasmobispora and Dactylosporangium.
5. Dermatophilaceae: Examples: Geodermatophilus.
6. Frankiaceae: Example: Frankia.
7. Actinomycetaceae:. Examples: Actinomyces.
Reproduction
Reproduction in actinomycetes is through hyphae fragmentation or spore formation. At the time of reproduction,
they form either conidiophores, oidiospores or sporangiospores. During fragmentation, the members of the group
form hyphae up to one-fifth or half the size of fungal hyphae. Most species reproduce by conidia which are developed
in chains from the aerial hyphae. The chains may be straight, flexuous (wavy) or coiled to various degrees. The conidia
bearing filaments are often spirally twisted. Sometimes the whole length of the aerial hypha, sometimes only its upper
part is transformed into conidia. Each conidium has a roundish nucleus and is surrounded by a firm outer wall. The
conidial wall may be smooth, warty, spiny, or hairy. The conidia can persist in the dry state for many years. Even the
vegetative forms of the Actinomycetes are quite hardy and are able to adapt themselves to the changing soil conditions.
Life Cycle:
1. Germination: The spores of actinomycetes remain
dispersed in the environment as a “Free spore”. Free
spore remains dormant until the stage of germination.
When the spores get favourable conditions, they start the
germination process by forming a germ tube.
2. Vegetative growth: The germ tube promotes
vegetative growth, which eventually gives rise to the
substrate and aerial hyphae. First, a germ tube will
produce a primary mycelium, i.e. substrate hyphae that
grow within the media. After the growth of primary
mycelium, a secondary mycelium, i.e. aerial
hyphae forms above the substratum.
3. Coiling: During unfavourable conditions, the aerial
hyphae turn into a spiral shape.
4. Septation: At this stage, a septum forms between the
vegetative hyphae.
5. Spore maturation: A septum within the vegetative
hyphae maturates and forms a chain of spores. Thus, the
spores originate via fragmentation or swelling of the
hyphae.
6. Release of spore: During unfavourable conditions,
the spores detach from the vegetative hyphae and remain
free in the environment.
Economic Importance: Actinomycetes are the economically important organisms that play a
fundamental role in many areas like:
Use in Bioremediation: Actinomycetes digest complex carbohydrates like chitin, cellulose, hemicellulose
etc. It also helps in the degradation of toxic compounds from the environment. Thus, it plays an essential
role in the bioremediation of organic compounds. Actinomycetes can survive in a harsh environment like
high temperature up to 50 degrees Celsius that is crucial for the composting process.
Biomedical Use: Harmful Effect
Name of Actinomycetes Antibiotic
Streptomyces rimosus tetramycin
S. griseus. streptomycin
S aureofaciens. Aureomycin
S. Venezualae Chloromycin
S. Fradiae Neomycin
S. lavendulae Streptothiricin
Industrial Use: Actinomycetes produce several enzymes, which show a wide range of applications in
different fields like:
• Lipase in detergent and pharmaceuticals industries.
• Cellulases in the animal feed industry.
• Catalase in the detergent industry.
• Amylase in food, textile and paper industries.
• Chitinase in biochemical industries.
Use as Agroactive compounds: Actinomycetes produce agroactive compounds as they are extensively
present in the rhizospheric zone of the plant. Thus, they can actively colonize themselves with the plant
roots and protect the plant from pathogenic fungi and other phytopathogens. Frankia is an example of
actinomycetes, which acts as a “Symbiont” that promote root nodule formation and thereby in nitrogen
fixation.
Prevents Biocorrosion: Actinomycetes produce secondary metabolites, which act as AMSs (Antimicrobial
substances). These antimicrobial substances attack pathogenic and phytopathogenic microorganisms, which
can cause biocorrosion.
Use as Biopesticide:
Actinomycetes are also used as a biopesticide that attacks insects like Musca domestica, Culex
quinquefasciatus etc. It kills 90% of insects at their larval and pupal stage.

Bacteria (Eubacteria)
Definition- Bacteria are prokaryotic, microscopic organisms, a single-celled (unicellular) microorganism
that does not have a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria are sometimes called
'prokaryotes.' In Greek, 'prokaryote' literally means 'before the nut' (where 'the nut' is the nucleus.)
General characteristics /Salient feature-
▪ Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganism
▪ Unicellular, minute(microscopic) size varies 0.2 mm to 2mm
▪ Shape of bacteria are 4 types- Coccus, Bacillus, Spirullium and Vibrio
▪ Lack of Nuclear membrane or other membrane bound organelles.
▪ Instead of nucleous it poseses neucleoid
▪ Bacteria posses two layer of surroundings –such as Cell wall and plasma membrane.
▪ Some virulent bacteria posses capsule.
▪ Bacteria carry both RNA and DNA (neuclic acids)as their genetic materials
▪ Bacterial reproduction- vegetative, asexual and sexual (horizontal gene transfer)
▪ Some bacteria posses flagella for locomotion
▪ Some bacteria posses pili for the attachment
▪ Bacteria can be beneficial as well as detrimental to human health
▪ Some bacteria can form endospores. These are dormant structures, Example -Bacillus anthracis
▪ Bacteria are found in every habitat on Earth: soil, rock, oceans and even arctic snow. Some live in or
on other organisms including plants and animals including humans example-Escherichia coli
▪ Some types of bacteria cause food spoilage and crop damage but others a re incredibly useful in the
production of fermented foods such as yoghurt and soy sauce.
Structure of Bacteria:
1. Capsule: A protective, that helps to protect the bacterium. It also makes bacteria virulent.
2. Cell wall: In bacteria, the cell wall is usually made of peptidoglycan, a protein and sugar
compound. This structure gives the cell some rigidity and protection.
3. Cell membrane: As in most cells, the bacterium's plasma membrane acts by coordinating the
passage of molecules into and out of the cell.
4. Cytoplasm: the cytoplasm serves as a medium through which molecules are transported .
5. Ribosomes: The main site for the bacterium's protein synthesis.
6. Nucleosome: A basic unit of chromatin, which won't be covered in this lesson.
7. Nucleoid: This is the region where the bacterium's DNA is located.
8. Flagellum: In many bacteria, a flagellum is present, and is the means by which the cell moves
around.