This organism represent 1 of the 3 primary lineages of modern cellular organisms revealed by sequence analysis of highly conserved macromolecules. It is consistent with their status as a third form of life and exhibit certain characteristics of bacteria as well as some certain characteristics of eukaryotes and other characteristics unique to themselves.

These organism are thought to have diverged from bacteria because it utilizes distinct GTFs and promoters. During the time of the great divergence, the archaea utilized transcription followed by reverse transcription to synthesize DNA. Hence, the promoters for RNA synthesis initiation were also replication origins and GTFs, promoters, and RNA polymerase were even more important and central functions than they are today in archaea and bacteria.

However, when this organism is in a nutrient-poor environment, it is most likely to use facilitated diffusion for nutrient uptake.