Types of Archaebacteria

Archaebacteria are part of the prokaryotic organism family, which means they are tiny, single-celled organisms. According to the State University of New York, they are plentiful in water, air and on objects. There are three different types of archaebacteria, and all make their home in extreme environments. The University of Miami Department of Biology calls archaebacteria some of the oldest of all living things.

A woman stepping out of a hot spring in the mountains. (Image: Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images)

Thermoacidophiles

Thermoacidophiles, or thermophiles, inhabit hot environments. A report on bacteria from the University of Miami Department of Biology states that thermoacidophiles thrive in extremely acidic, hot and moist regions, such as those in and near sulfur hot springs. If they are in temperatures below 131 degrees F (55 degrees C), they die.

Halophiles

Another type of archaebacteria are halophiles. Just as thermophiles thrive in extremely hot environments, halophiles thrive in extremely salty environments. They make their home in water and soil, as long as there is a very high amount of salt.

Methanogens

Methanogens can be found in environments that are anaerobic (no oxygen). Types of environments methanogens are found in are swamps and marshes, or intestinal tracts of animals and some humans. As their name suggests, methanogens produce methane gas. According to a study published in the October 2000 issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology, their trait of producing methane makes them easily detected within the intestinal tract.