dictionary help| archaea | medical dictionary |
A unique group of microorganisms. They are called bacteria (Archaeobacteria) but they are genetically and metabolically different from all other known bacteria. They appear to be living fossils, the survivors of an ancient group of organisms that bridged the gap in evolution between bacteria and the eukaryotes (multicellular organisms). The name Archaea comes from the Greek archaios meaning ancient.
(12 Dec 1998)
arc-flash conjunctivitis, arch, -arch, arch-, archae < Prev | Next > archaeal proteins, archaean, Archaebacteria
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