obligate anaerobe
Quick Summary
An obligate anaerobe is a microorganism that can only survive and reproduce in environments completely devoid of oxygen. Unlike some bacteria that can adapt to different oxygen levels, obligate anaerobes are harmed or killed by its presence. Their metabolic processes for generating energy are not designed to use oxygen; in fact, oxygen can poison their essential enzymes.12
Examples of obligate anaerobes include bacteria from the genera Clostridium and Bacteroides. These microorganisms are found in oxygen-free environments such as deep soil, sediments, and the digestive tracts of animals.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
bacteriaOxygen…methane-producing archaea (methanogens), are called obligate anaerobes because their energy-generating metabolic processes are not coupled with the consumption of oxygen. In fact, the presence of oxygen actually poisons some of their key enzymes. Some bacteria (S. pneumoniae) are microaerophilic or aerotolerant anaerobes because they grow better in low concentrations of…
Read More…methane-producing archaea (methanogens), are called obligate anaerobes because their energy-generating metabolic processes are not coupled with the consumption of oxygen. In fact, the presence of oxygen actually poisons some of their key enzymes. Some bacteria (S. pneumoniae) are microaerophilic or aerotolerant anaerobes because they grow better in low concentrations of…
Read More- food preservationBacteria
…of oxygen and are called obligate anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes are bacteria that can grow in both the presence or absence of oxygen. In addition to oxygen concentration, the oxygen reduction potential of the growth medium influences bacterial growth. The oxygen reduction potential is a relative measure of the oxidizing or…
Read More…of oxygen and are called obligate anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes are bacteria that can grow in both the presence or absence of oxygen. In addition to oxygen concentration, the oxygen reduction potential of the growth medium influences bacterial growth. The oxygen reduction potential is a relative measure of the oxidizing or…
Read More