The bacteria which require free oxygen for their survival, are called:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

OSSC JE Civil Mains Official Paper: (Held On: 16th July 2023)

Answer 1

Explanation:

Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that help in decomposing organic materials and fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Bacteria are classified as aerobic and anaerobic based on the types of respiration.

Aerobic bacteria:

Anaerobic bacteria:

The bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen are called anaerobic bacteria.
It does not have the ability to detoxify oxygen.
The final electron acceptor is carbon dioxide, sulfur, fumarate or ferric.
Acetate like substances, methane, nitrate and sulfide are produced by these bacteria.
When in liquid medium they are seen at the bottom of the medium.
Example: Bacteroids, E.Coli.

Important Points

Following are the important difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:

Aerobic	Anaerobic
Need oxygen to survive	Do not require oxygen to survive
Produce more energy	Produce less energy
Molecular oxygen is the final electron acceptor	Carbon dioxide, sulfur, fumarate or ferric is the final electron acceptor
Bacteria are seen on the surface of liquid	Bacteria are settled at the bottom of the liquid
Example: Mycobacterium tuberculosis	Example: Clostridium

Thus, the bacteria which require oxygen for their survival is known as aerobic bacteria.

Additional Information

Facultative bacteria: The bacteria that grow in both condition that is in presence of oxygen as well as in the absence of oxygen is called facultative bacteria.
Pathogenic bacteria: Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that cause disease. Example: Vibrio cholerae