Halobacterium archaea artwork Science Image

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Halobacterium archaea artwork. Halobacteria is classed as archaea, a relatively new domain introduced when DNA of bacteria revealed that genes of archaea are more similar to eukaryotes and that their biochemistry is unique. They can use a large variety of energy sources including ammonia, metal ions, hydrogen gas as well as the more familiar compounds such as sugars. The Halobacteria is salt-tolerant and thrives in a salt water which is saturated or nearly saturated and they are often called halophiles. Some parts of their membranes are coloured purple and large blooms appear reddish from the pigment bacteriorhodopsin. This pigment helps absorb light to provide energy and create Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).