Last Minute Lecture

Diversity of Archaea — Methanogens, Hyperthermophiles, and the Asgard Lineage Explained | Chapter 17 from Brock Biology of Microorganisms The domain Archaea encompasses some of the most unique and ancient forms of life on Earth. Chapter 17 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms explores the incredible phylogenetic, metabolic, and ecological diversity within this domain. Despite their small numbers of cultured representatives, Archaea display remarkable adaptations—from extreme halophily to methane production and thermophily near the limits of life. This chapter categorizes Archaea into four major superphyla: Euryarchaeota, TACK, DPANN, and Asgard, highlighting their evolutionary relevance and functional innovations. Watch our detailed video summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for expertly crafted academic reviews of every Brock Biology chapter. Euryarchaeota — Metabolic Powerhouses Euryarchaeota is the most metabolically diverse archaeal superphylum, includin...

Metabolic Diversity in Microorganisms — Phototrophy, Chemolithotrophy, and Fermentation Explained | Chapter 14 from Brock Biology of Microorganisms Microorganisms exhibit an extraordinary range of metabolic strategies that allow them to thrive in virtually every environment on Earth. Chapter 14 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms explores this rich metabolic diversity, explaining how microbes conserve energy, maintain redox balance, and cycle elements critical to global biogeochemistry. This chapter offers a comprehensive look at microbial phototrophy, chemolithotrophy, anaerobic respiration, fermentation, and hydrocarbon metabolism. Watch the full video summary below to see how microbial metabolic diversity shapes life on Earth, and don’t forget to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more in-depth chapter guides! Metabolism and Redox Principles in Microbes Microbial metabolism is fundamentally driven by redox reactions. Microorganisms utilize a wide array of electron d...