Differences between bacteria and archaea include the presence of peptidoglycan in bacteria’s cell walls, differing numbers of ribosomal RNA polymerases, archaea’s adaptability to extreme conditions, and bacteria’s aversion to antibiotics.
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.