Facultative anaerobe

Facultative anaerobes are organisms that can survive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments. They are capable of metabolizing energy (ATP) by respiration when oxygen is present, but when it is absent, they switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration.

Characteristics

Facultative anaerobes are a type of microorganism that can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. This is in contrast to obligate anaerobes, which can only survive in environments without oxygen, and obligate aerobes, which require oxygen to live.

Facultative anaerobes are capable of metabolizing energy (ATP) by respiration when oxygen is present. However, when oxygen is absent, they switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration. This ability to adapt to different environments makes them versatile and able to survive in a variety of conditions.

Examples

Examples of facultative anaerobes include many species of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus, as well as some types of yeast. These organisms are often found in environments where oxygen levels can fluctuate, such as soil and water, as well as in the human body.

Role in Disease

Some facultative anaerobes are pathogenic and can cause disease in humans. For example, Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin infections, and Escherichia coli can cause urinary tract infections and food poisoning.

See Also

• Aerobic organism
• Anaerobic organism
• Microorganism
• Metabolism
• Respiration
• Fermentation
• Anaerobic respiration

Facultative anaerobe Resources
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