Question

What is the genetic constitution of actinomycetes?

Answer 1

Actinomycetes is an example of bacteria. As the name includes the term mycetes which is used for kingdom fungi it shows some properties and characteristics of them. But there are many other criteria which can differentiate it from fungi and thus placing it in kingdom monera.

Complete answer:
Actinomycetes are members of a heterogeneous group of gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria. The Actinomycetes are included under the kingdom Monera and cells divide and develop like the fungal hyphae, which lack well-developed cell organelles. As they are grouped in kingdom Monera they don’t have any membrane bound cell organelles. The chromatin fibres which are the main genetic material present in them are not found inside the nucleus but are aggregated together to form a nucleosome-like structure. They are present in the cytoplasm of the bacteria.
Bacteria also have extra chromosomal material present in them which is known as a plasmid. These structures can replicate inside them and they give bacteria extra properties like resistance to ampicillin.
Actinomycetes are the most abundant organisms that form thread-like filaments in the earth. They grow as hyphae like fungi which is responsible for the characteristically “earthy” smell of freshly turned healthy soil. The actinomycetes exist in various habitats in nature and represent a ubiquitous group of microbes widely distributed in natural ecosystems around the world because of the presence of specialized cell wall structures. They are mainly soil inhabitants but have been found widely distributed in a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems, including sediments obtained from deep-sea, even from the greatest depth Mariana Trench.

Note:
Bacteria are the sole members of kingdom monera. They are so diverse in their morphology because of the presence of specialised cell walls which help them to survive in harsh conditions also. They are further classified into two groups: archaebacteria and eubacteria.