Prokaryotes can be divided into microorganisms called bacteria and archaea. Four differences between bacteria and archaea include:
1. Bacterial cell walls have peptidoglycan (mesh-like structure also known as murein); archaeal cell walls do not have peptidoglycan.
2. Bacteria have one ribosomal RNA polymerase (rRNA); archaea have three ribosomal RNA polymerase. In this respect archaea are similar to eukaryotes.
3.Bacteria cannot live above 100 degrees Celsius; archaea can thrive in extreme temperatures. Archaea are actually extremophiles. They can survive in extreme physical and geochemical conditions.
4. Bacterial growth is inhibited by antibiotics; archaeal growth is not inhibited by antibiotics.
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