Abstract.
The distribution of the various cell wall and cell envelope (S-layer) polymers among the main lineages of the domain Archaea (Archaebacteria) and the chemical composition and primary structure of polymers forming rigid cell wall sacculi is described. Differences between bacteria and archaea in their sensitivity to antibiotics which inhibit cell wall synthesis in bacteria are discussed.
Keywords: Key words. Archaea (Archaebacteria); cell walls; pseudomurein; methanochondroitin; glutaminylglycan; S-layers; chemical structure; biosynthesis; antibiotics; evolution.