Microaerophilic

Microaerophilic (pronunciation: /ˌmaɪkrəʊˌɛərəˈfɪlɪk/) is a term used in Microbiology to describe organisms that grow in low levels of oxygen. The term is derived from the Greek words "micros" meaning small, "aer" meaning air, and "philos" meaning loving.

Microaerophilic organisms are not capable of surviving in normal atmospheric concentrations of oxygen (20.9%) but require oxygen levels usually between 2-10%. They are different from anaerobic organisms, which do not require oxygen for growth, and aerobic organisms, which require oxygen at levels close to atmospheric concentration.

Microaerophilic organisms include certain types of bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, which is known to cause stomach ulcers, and Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of food poisoning. These organisms have adapted to survive in environments where oxygen is scarce, such as the human gut.

Related Terms

Aerobic: Pertaining to an organism or environment that requires oxygen.
Anaerobic: Pertaining to an organism or environment that does not require oxygen.
Facultative anaerobe: An organism that can survive in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments.
Obligate anaerobe: An organism that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.
Capnophilic: Organisms that thrive in high concentrations of carbon dioxide.

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Microaerophilic