anaerobe
Breathless life form
An anaerobe is an organism that lives and grows without oxygen—bacteria, yeasts, and certain other microbes that thrive in oxygen-free environments like deep soil, the gut, or sealed containers.
Some anaerobes tolerate oxygen; others die when exposed to it.
Botulism is caused by an anaerobe that flourishes in improperly canned food.
Paralysis-causing bacterial species
- obligateCommit by necessity
- facultativeCapable but not obligated
- pathogenicCausing disease
- commensalHarmless biological freeloader
Heat-adapted living thing
- extremophileLife in harsh conditions
- ancientVery old indeed
- primordialExisting from the start
- astrobiologyStudy of cosmic organisms
Lacking molecular oxygen
- hypoxicInsufficient oxygen supply
- oxygen-freeContaining no O2
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
swamp · bog · landfill · rumen · intestinal · waterlogged · stagnant · mud
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- pyruvateThree-carbon acid from glycolysis
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
NADH · acetyl-CoA · denitrification · oxidation-reduction · biochemical
Fuel from anaerobic decomposition
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- bioreactorVessel for growing organisms
- sludgeSemi-solid waste material
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
silage · biofuel · hydrolysis · waste-to-energy · decomposition
Tissue death from bloodlessness
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
- botulismBacterial food poisoning
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- peritonitisAbdominal lining inflammation
sepsis · cellulitis · appendicitis · empyema · bacteremia · foul-smelling · debridement · metronidazole
botulinum
Paralysis-causing bacterial species
- obligateCommit by necessity
- facultativeCapable but not obligated
- pathogenicCausing disease
thermophile
Heat-adapted living thing
- extremophileLife in harsh conditions
- ancientVery old indeed
- primordialExisting from the start
anoxic
Lacking molecular oxygen
- hypoxicInsufficient oxygen supply
- oxygen-freeContaining no O2
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
sediment · swamp · bog · landfill · rumen · intestinal · waterlogged · stagnant · mud · marshland
glycolysis
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- pyruvateThree-carbon acid from glycolysis
ethanol · NADH · acetyl-CoA · denitrification · oxidation-reduction · biochemical
biogas
Fuel from anaerobic decomposition
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- bioreactorVessel for growing organisms
- sludgeSemi-solid waste material
composting · silage · biofuel · hydrolysis · waste-to-energy · decomposition
gangrene
Tissue death from bloodlessness
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
- botulismBacterial food poisoning
- abscessLocalized pus collection
peritonitis · sepsis · cellulitis · appendicitis · empyema · bacteremia · foul-smelling · debridement · metronidazole · clindamycin
- Microbesbacteria, bacterium, virus, mold, prokaryote
- Anaerobic Processesglycolysis, fermentation, denitrification, lactic acid, pyruvate
- Oxygenoxygen, O2, oxygenate, oxygenation, oxide
- extremophilesextremophiles, extremophile, thermophiles, thermophile, cryophile
- anaerobic metabolismEnergy production sans oxygen
- anaerobic conditionsAbsence of oxygen present
- anaerobic respirationOxygen-free energy extraction
- anaerobic trainingExercise without oxygen replenishment