A sample collected from a hydrothermal vent contains a single-celled organism that has a cell wall and no nucleus. What is its most likely classification?
A Fungi
B Eukarya Archaea
C Protista
The correct answer and explanation is:
The most likely classification of this organism is B) Archaea.
Archaea are a group of single-celled organisms that are similar to bacteria but differ in several key ways. Like bacteria, archaea lack a nucleus, which places them outside the domain of Eukarya. The presence of a cell wall further supports the possibility that the organism belongs to archaea, as many archaea have a cell wall, though the composition of the cell wall differs from that of bacteria and eukaryotes.
The habitat in question—a hydrothermal vent—further points to archaea. These organisms are known to thrive in extreme environments, such as the high temperatures and pressures found at hydrothermal vents. Some archaea, particularly thermophiles, are specially adapted to survive in such harsh conditions, using unique enzymes and biochemical pathways to carry out their metabolic processes.
In contrast, fungi are eukaryotic organisms that have a complex cell structure with a nucleus, so they do not fit the description of the organism. Protista, on the other hand, are also eukaryotic organisms, typically unicellular or simple multicellular organisms that also contain a nucleus. Since the organism lacks a nucleus, it does not belong to the Eukarya domain, ruling out both fungi and protista.
In summary, based on the lack of a nucleus, the presence of a cell wall, and the extreme habitat of a hydrothermal vent, the organism is most likely classified as an archaean. This group is known for its ability to survive and even thrive in extreme environments.