Nonarchaeal

Nonarchaeal refers to organisms that are not archaea. Archaea are one of the three domains of life, alongside Bacteria and Eukarya. Therefore, nonarchaeal encompasses all organisms belonging to the domains Bacteria and Eukarya. Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms, typically a few micrometers in length, that have a wide range of metabolic pathways and inhabit diverse environments. Eukarya include all organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. This domain comprises a vast array of life forms, from single-celled organisms like amoebas and yeasts to multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. The distinction between archaea and bacteria is fundamental in biology, based on significant differences in their cell structure, genetics, and biochemistry. Consequently, any organism that does not possess the defining characteristics of archaea is classified as nonarchaeal. This broad category represents the overwhelming majority of known life on Earth, excluding the distinct archaeal lineage.