Archaea vs. Bacteria

Archaea and bacteria are both single-celled organisms that reproduce asexually and do not have a nucleus.

Archaea belong to a kingdom of single-celled microorganisms that do not have a nucleus or other organelles. In the past, archaea were classified as bacteria, but now they are known to be a separate type of organism. The word archaea is derived from the Greek "archaios," meaning ancient. Archaea live in harsh environments, such as hot springs and human intestines.

Bacteria are any of a group of single-celled microorganisms that do not have a nucleus. They differ from archaea in their ability to form spores and to remain dormant. There are bacteria living in almost every environment on Earth. Although bacteria can cause disease in living things, it also has many advantages. It helps with decomposition, makes soil fertile, and is used in food preparation and antibiotics.

Both archaea and bacteria are considered prokaryotic because they lack nuclei.