Archaea constitute a domain of single-celled organisms. These microorganisms lack cell nuclei and are therefore prokaryotes. Archaea were initially classified as bacteria, receiving the name archaebacteria, but this term has fallen out of use.

What does Archae mean in science?

archae- (arche-) Prefix, from the Greek arkhaios ('ancient'), itself derived from arkhe ('beginning'). It adds the meaning 'ancient', with the implication 'first', to words to which it is attached. A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. "archae- ." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. .

What is the difference between bacteria and archaea?

Difference in Cell structure

Similar to bacteria, archaea do not have interior membranes but both have a cell wall and use flagella to swim. Archaea differ in the fact that their cell wall does not contain peptidoglycan and cell membrane uses ether linked lipids as opposed to ester linked lipids in bacteria.