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Aerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that grow in the presence of oxygen whereas Anaerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen. These bacterias are very useful and take part in various biogeochemical cycles of the environment and help in maintaining the balance and equilibrium between different elements of the biosphere. They participate in many decomposition and respiration processes.
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Key Takeaways: Aerobic Bacteria, Anaerobic Bacteria, Oxygen, Enzymes
Aerobic Bacteria
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Aerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that grow in the presence of oxygen. They do not survive in environments with a higher amount of carbon dioxide. These bacteria have special types of enzymes that can detoxify oxygen from the atmosphere. Aerobic bacteria grow on the surface of liquids where the supply of oxygen is maximum. They can produce water after reacting with the final electron acceptor, which is molecular oxygen in their case.
Experimental study of Aerobic organisms
Aerobic bacteria are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter such as leaves, dead animals, etc. The rate of decomposition is directly proportional to the amount of oxygen present in the surrounding.
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Classification Of Aerobic Bacteria
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Aerobic bacteria can be classified into four types. They are
- Facultative Aerobic Bacteria
- Microaerophilic Aerobic Bacteria
- Obligate Aerobic Bacteria
- Aerotolerant Aerobic Bacteria
Examples of aerobic bacteria are Achromobacter, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus, Citrobacter, E. Coli, Klebsiella, Nocardia sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, Salmonella, etc.
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Anaerobic Bacteria
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Anaerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen. They cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Unlike aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria lack the enzymes to detoxify atmospheric oxygen. These bacteria grow at the bottom of liquids where the amount of dissolved oxygen is minimum. They can produce sulfides, nitrates, methane, highly volatile fatty acids, and acetates after reacting with their final electron acceptors. The final electron acceptors for anaerobic bacteria are fumarate or ferric, sulfur, and carbon dioxide. This is all a part of their metabolism that involves inorganic and organic redox reactions.
Anaerobic Bacteria
Anaerobic bacteria make their way to the human body through several means. They cause discomfort and diseases in humans. Some of the common health problems caused by anaerobic bacteria are soft tissue infection, food poisoning, headache, neck problems, pelvic infection, abdominal infection, etc.
Read More: Difference between Archae and Bacteria
Classification Of Anaerobic Bacteria
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Anaerobic bacteria can be broadly classified into three types. They are
- Facultative Anaerobic Bacteria
- Microaerophilic Anaerobic Bacteria
- Obligate Anaerobic Bacteria
Examples of anaerobic bacteria are Actinomyces, Bacteroids, Bifidobacterium, Clostridia, E. Coli, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Propionibacterium, etc.
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Differences Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Bacteria
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The following are the distinct distinguishing points between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:
| Factors | Aerobic Bacteria | Anaerobic Bacteria |
|---|---|---|
| Need for Oxygen | Aerobic bacteria need oxygen for their survival | Anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen for their survival |
| Need for Carbon dioxide | Aerobic bacteria do not need carbon dioxide for their survival | Anaerobic bacteria need carbon dioxide for their survival |
| Production of Energy | Aerobic bacteria produce a lot of energy | Anaerobic bacteria produce every little amount of energy |
| Final electron acceptor | The final electron acceptor in aerobic bacteria is molecular oxygen | The final electron acceptors in anaerobic bacteria are fumarate or ferric, sulfur, and carbon dioxide |
| Presence in Liquid | Aerobic bacteria are present in the surface of the liquids | Anaerobic bacteria are present at the bottom of the liquids |
| Presence of Enzymes | Aerobic bacteria have enzymes that can detoxify atmospheric oxygen | Anaerobic bacteria do not have the necessary enzymes to detoxify the atmospheric oxygen |
| Found | Aerobic bacteria are found in air, water, soil, etc | Anaerobic bacteria are found in places where oxygen is absent such as the digestive tract |
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Things to Remember
- Bacteria are defined as unicellular organisms that are prokaryotic in nature.
- Aerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that grow in the presence of oxygen.
- Aerobic bacteria are classified into four types viz. Facultative Aerobic Bacteria, Microaerophilic Aerobic Bacteria, Obligate Aerobic Bacteria, and Aerotolerant Aerobic Bacteria.
- Anaerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen.
- Anaerobic bacteria are classified into three types viz. Facultative Anaerobic Bacteria, Microaerophilic Anaerobic Bacteria, and Obligate Anaerobic Bacteria
- Differences between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are based on their need for Oxygen, need for Carbon dioxide, production of energy, final electron acceptor, presence of enzymes, their presence in liquids, etc.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Do anaerobic bacteria die when they come in contact with oxygen? [3 Marks]
Ans. Anaerobic bacteria can survive in the presence of carbon dioxide and the absence of oxygen. But oxygen is present almost everywhere in the atmosphere. There are a few anaerobic bacteria that can tolerate a limited concentration of oxygen for limited or extended periods of time. Enzymes oxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase that are capable of breaking down oxygen are absent in anaerobic bacteria. So they cannot metabolize in the presence of oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria can tolerate oxygen but it is not good for them. Excess of oxygen can lead to their death.
Ques. Define aerobic bacteria. Give examples of aerobic bacteria. [2 Marks]
Ans. Aerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that grow in the presence of oxygen. Examples of aerobic bacteria are Achromobacter, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus, etc.
Ques. State and explain the clinical significance of anaerobic bacteria. [2 Marks]
Ans. Anaerobic bacteria are a cause of several bacterial infections in human beings. They can cause infections to the stomach, back, neck, throat, etc. To identify the type of infection in humans, it is essential to collect a proper sample for testing. A sample of anaerobic bacteria is taken from the infected human being to test it clinically. These types of tests help determine the proper medication pathway for the infected person.
Ques. Define anaerobic bacteria. Give examples of anaerobic bacteria. [2 Marks]
Ans. Anaerobic bacteria are defined as bacteria that can grow in the absence of oxygen. Examples of anaerobic bacteria are Actinomyces, Bacteroids, Bifidobacterium, etc.
Ques. How do anaerobic bacteria affect human health? [2 Marks]
Ans. Anaerobic bacteria are not good for human health. They are capable of producing paralytic poisons and tissue-destructive enzymes. It can be gathered that these are extremely harmful to humans. Anaerobic bacteria can cause tissue necrosis, abscess formation, gas generation, septic thrombosis, etc. Thus, it is safe to say that anaerobic bacteria negatively affect human health.
Ques. Differentiation between aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria based on the production of energy, presence of enzymes, and use of final electron acceptor. [3 Marks]
Ans. Differences between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:
| Aerobic bacteria | Anaerobic bacteria |
|---|---|
| Aerobic bacteria produce a lot of energy | Anaerobic bacteria produce every little amount of energy |
| Aerobic bacteria have enzymes that can detoxify atmospheric oxygen | Anaerobic bacteria do not have the necessary enzymes to detoxify the atmospheric oxygen |
| The final electron acceptor in aerobic bacteria is molecular oxygen | The final electron acceptors in anaerobic bacteria are fumarate or ferric, sulfur, and carbon dioxide |
Ques. Explain the types of aerobic bacteria. [5 Marks]
Ans. There are four types of aerobic bacteria:
- Facultative Aerobic Bacteria:
Facultative aerobic bacteria are a type of aerobic bacteria that do not solely depend on oxygen for their survival. This type of aerobic bacteria has developed techniques of anaerobic respiration over the years.
- Microaerophilic Aerobic Bacteria:
Microaerophilic aerobic bacteria are a type of aerobic bacteria. They cannot survive in high concentrations of oxygen. This type of aerobic bacteria takes place in the process of fermentation.
- Obligate Aerobic Bacteria:
Obligate aerobic bacteria are a type of aerobic bacteria that need oxygen at all times. Without oxygen, they will instantly die.
- Aerotolerant Aerobic Bacteria:
Aerotolerant aerobic bacteria are a type of aerobic bacteria that can survive without oxygen. They do not die in absence of oxygen.
Ques. Explain the types of anaerobic bacteria. [3 Marks]
Ans. There are three types of anaerobic bacteria:
- Facultative Anaerobic Bacteria:
Facultative anaerobic bacteria is a type of anaerobic bacteria that can survive in the presence as well as the absence of oxygen
- Microaerophilic Anaerobic Bacteria:
Microaerophilic anaerobic bacteria are a type of anaerobic bacteria that cannot survive in environments with a high concentration of oxygen. They need low oxygen concentrated environments.
- Obligate Anaerobic Bacteria:
Obligate anaerobic bacteria are a type of anaerobic bacteria that cannot metabolize in presence of oxygen. But they can do well in the presence of little oxygen.
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