Obligate anaerobe

Obligate anaerobes are microorganisms that can only survive in environments devoid of oxygen. They are destroyed by the presence of oxygen due to their lack of certain enzymes that can neutralize harmful forms of oxygen such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Characteristics

Obligate anaerobes lack the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase which protect from the harmful effects of oxygen. They are unable to metabolize carbohydrates in the presence of oxygen and instead, use processes such as fermentation or anaerobic respiration.

Examples

Examples of obligate anaerobes include many species of bacteria, such as Clostridium species, Actinomyces, and Bacteroides. Some parasitic protozoa, such as Giardia lamblia, are also obligate anaerobes.

Medical relevance

Obligate anaerobes are of significant medical importance as they are often involved in infections that occur in the absence of oxygen, such as abscesses, gangrene, and certain infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

See also

• Aerobic organism
• Facultative anaerobic organism
• Microaerophile
• Anaerobic infection

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