A researcher samples the waters of the boiling hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. Under the microscope, she observes what appear to be living cells in the water. If these indeed are living cells, what type of cell would they most likely be? A eukaryotic animal B. eukaryotic, plant C. eukaryotic, fung D. prokaryotic, archaea E. prokaryotic, bacteria

D. prokaryotic, archaea

Explanation:

Domain Archaea and Domain Bacteria include prokaryotic organisms that lack the well-defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles in their cells. However, the Domain Archaea include methanogens and two other groups of prokaryotes that are able to live under extremes of conditions.

Archaea differ from prokaryotes in several features such as a component of cell walls, etc. The observed sample water from hot boiling springs contains living cells. Under these extremely high temperatures, thermophilic archaeans are able to survive due to their specific chemical composition of the cell wall, unique ribosomes, and thermophilic enzymes.