key term - Archaeal membrane

Definition

An archaeal membrane is a unique lipid bilayer that forms the boundary of archaeal cells, differing significantly from bacterial and eukaryotic membranes. It includes ether linkages and branched isoprenoid chains which contribute to its stability in extreme environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Archaeal membranes contain ether bonds between glycerol and their hydrophobic side chains, unlike the ester bonds found in bacterial and eukaryotic membranes.
2. The lipid components of archaeal membranes are based on isoprenoid chains rather than fatty acids.
3. Some archaea have monolayer membranes instead of bilayers, providing additional stability under extreme conditions.
4. Ether linkages in archaeal membranes make them more resistant to hydrolysis compared to ester linkages in other domains.
5. Archaeal membrane lipids can form tetraether monolayers or diether bilayers, allowing flexibility in adaptation to diverse environments.

Review Questions

Related terms

Ether Bond: A stable chemical bond involving an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups.

Isoprenoid Chains: Hydrocarbon chains derived from isoprene units, found in the lipid structures of archaea.

Monolayer Membrane: A single layer of lipids forming the cell membrane, often seen in some extremophilic archaea for added stability.