The kingdom of Prokaryotes is made up of the domains, Archaea and Bacteria.
The domain bacteria are prokaryotes, single-celled organisms that have no membrane-bound organelles and make up a large proportion of living organisms. The domain bacteria contains five major groups: proteobacteria, chlamydias, spirochetes, cyanobacteria, and gram-positive bacteria. Mostly, those from the domain bacteria are what we encounter every day. Some are symbiotic with plants, others live in hot vents deep under the sea, others are pathogens and cause human diseases, some are photosynthesizers, and several are both harmless bacteria and harmful ones.
Archaea are also classed as prokaryotes. These are single-celled organisms that are visually similar to bacteria but contain genes and several metabolic pathways that are more similar to eukaryotes than to bacteria. They are prokaryotes that inhabit extreme environments (high salt, temperature, or chemicals). So far, no archaea that are human pathogens have yet been discovered. Archaea do live in our bodies and seem to be neither harmless or beneficial.
Domains of life: Bacteria and Archaea are both prokaryotes but differ enough to be placed in separate domains. An ancestor of modern Archaea is believed to have given rise to Eukarya, the third domain of life.
Practice Questions
Khan Academy
https://jackwestin.com/khan-academy-mcat/helicobacter-pylori-and-the-gastrointestinal-system
MCAT Official Prep (AAMC)
Sample Test B/B Section Passage 1 Question 5
Sample Test B/B Section Question 44
Key Points
• The domain prokaryote contains two classes: Archaea and Bacteria
• Bacteria are the most common prokaryote organisms that we encounter every day, ranging from harmful to beneficial ones.
• Archaea are prokaryotes that inhabit extreme environments, such as inside of volcanoes; Their ancestor is believed to have given rise to Eukarya, the third domain of life.
Key Terms
Prokaryote: an organism whose cell (or cells) are characterized by the absence of a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles
Domain: in the three-domain system, the highest rank in the classification of organisms, above kingdom: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
Archaea: a taxonomic domain of single-celled organisms lacking nuclei, formerly called archaebacteria, but now known to differ fundamentally from bacteria
Symbiotic: a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms
Pathogens: a microorganism that causes disease
Photosynthesizer: Any organism that uses photosynthesis to generate carbohydrates
Bacteria: single-celled organisms
Eukaryote: an organism with genetic material within a distinct nucleus
