anaerobes
Breath-free life forms
Anaerobes are organisms—typically bacteria—that can live and grow without oxygen.
Some are obligate anaerobes, meaning oxygen is toxic to them; others are facultative, able to survive with or without it.
Anaerobes thrive in environments like deep soil, animal intestines, and sealed wounds: The infection was caused by anaerobic bacteria in the puncture wound.
Commit by necessity
- facultativeCapable but not obligated
- oxygen-freeContaining no O2
- anoxicLacking molecular oxygen
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
Acid-producing beneficial bacterium
- spirochetesCoiled, motile bacteria
- archaeaThird domain of life
- eubacteriaProkaryotes with peptidoglycan walls
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- pyruvateThree-carbon acid from glycolysis
- lactic acidAnaerobic metabolism byproduct
NADH · propionate · acetate
Bacterial food poisoning
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
- abscessLocalized pus collection
peritonitis · endocarditis · gut flora · appendicitis · aspiration pneumonia · bacteremia · gas production · metronidazole
Beverage preparation process
- wineFermented grape beverage
- beerFermented grain drink
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
- kimchiFermented Korean vegetables
sauerkraut · pickling · kombucha · yogurt · kefir · tempeh · miso · ethanol
Submarine volcanic water jets
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
- subsurfaceBelow the outer layer
obligate
Commit by necessity
- facultativeCapable but not obligated
- oxygen-freeContaining no O2
- anoxicLacking molecular oxygen
lactobacillus
Acid-producing beneficial bacterium
- spirochetesCoiled, motile bacteria
- archaeaThird domain of life
- eubacteriaProkaryotes with peptidoglycan walls
glycolysis
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- pyruvateThree-carbon acid from glycolysis
lactic acid · NADH · propionate · acetate
botulism
Bacterial food poisoning
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
- gangreneTissue death from bloodlessness
- sepsisDangerous inflammatory infection response
abscess · peritonitis · endocarditis · gut flora · appendicitis · aspiration pneumonia · bacteremia · gas production · metronidazole
brewing
Beverage preparation process
kimchi · sauerkraut · pickling · kombucha · yogurt · kefir · tempeh · miso · ethanol · acetobacter
hydrothermal vents
Submarine volcanic water jets
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
subsurface · hot springs · astrobiology · primordial · groundwater
- anaerobic metabolismEnergy production sans oxygen
- anaerobic conditionsAbsence of oxygen present
- anaerobic respirationOxygen-free energy extraction
- anaerobic trainingExercise without oxygen replenishment