Archae represent a kingdom of bacteria which live in extreme environments. Archae bacteria are prokaryotic cells, meaning they do not have a membrane bound nucleus nor membrane bound organelles. Prokaryotes have ribosomes and circular DNA. They may have smaller rings of DNA called plasmids. Protists represent a eukaryotic kingdom. Eukaryotic cells have a membrane bound nucleus and membrane bound organelles. The DNA is not free floating, it is enclosed in the nucleus and arranged in chromosomes. Archae cells are much smaller than protist cells. Protist cells can be found as unicellular organisms,, living in colonies or multicellular. Archea are unicellular and may b e in clumps or chains.
