KINGDOM ARCHAEBACTERIAHave you ever been to a volcano’s crater, like that in Taal? What do you expect with the water that is coming out from this place? It’s hot, right? In this very extreme environment, we can see very small organisms living there. They are very small that we cannot see it with our naked eyes. We need to use a microscope! These organisms that live in a very extreme environment are believed to be the oldest kind of organism hence they are called Archaebacteria. Below are photographs of the different places in the world. We will discuss one by one the different organisms that live in these extreme places.
Observe the following photographs, what is common to them? Hint: It lacks a certain gas. Yes, the common characteristic of these places is that there is no oxygen in it. This is where we can find METHANOGENS. Methanogens inhabit places without oxygen. They are called methanogens because they produce a gas called methane. Methane is a cheap alternative source of energy. Here are some examples of methanogens
Let’s move on, observe the following photographs. First is the Salt Lake City in Utah and the second is the Dead Sea. What is excessive compound in these places?
Yes, they have too much salt! These places are too salty. Dead Sea is not literally dead for it is a place where HALOPHILES live. Halophiles are salt-loving organisms. Here are some examples of halophiles or salt-loving archaebacteria.
Lastly, we have this group of achaebacteria that lives in these places. What do you observe with the temperature here?
It is too hot here! The temperature is very high. THERMOPHILES are the organisms that love very hot environment like that in volcanic hot springs.
You will observe that the names of these organisms are derived from the name of their groups. It’s time to tell where the following archaebacterial belong.
Guide Questions: Tell whether the following is a methanogen, halophile or thermophile. 1.Methanobacterium ruminatum 2.Pyrococcus furiosus 3.Halobacterium salinarum 4.Methanospirillum hungatii 5.Pyrodictium occultum |
Quarter 4: Living Things and Their Environment
Module 1: Biodiversity |