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Why do obligate aerobes (and facultative anaerobes) need oxygen?

Why do obligate aerobes (and facultative anaerobes) need oxygen?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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**Question:** Why do obligate aerobes (and facultative anaerobes) need oxygen? Be specific. **Explanation:** This question asks for a detailed explanation of why certain types of organisms, specifically obligate aerobes and facultative anaerobes, require oxygen. When transcribing for educational purposes, it is essential to go beyond the superficial answer. **Key Points to Discuss:** 1. **Obligate Aerobes:** - These organisms strictly depend on oxygen for survival. - Oxygen is essential for the process of aerobic respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria. - During aerobic respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, which is crucial for the efficient production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. 2. **Facultative Anaerobes:** - These organisms can survive with or without oxygen. - In the presence of oxygen, they prefer aerobic respiration because it yields more ATP compared to anaerobic processes. - Without oxygen, facultative anaerobes switch to anaerobic respiration or fermentation to produce energy, although these processes are less efficient. 3. **Biological Significance:** - Understanding the oxygen requirement is crucial for applications in microbiology, such as growing cultures in laboratory settings. - Insights into oxygen dependency highlight evolutionary adaptations among different organisms based on their environments. This explanation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding for an educational audience, explaining both the biological processes and significance.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** Why do obligate aerobes (and facultative anaerobes) need oxygen? Be specific. **Explanation:** This question asks for a detailed explanation of why certain types of organisms, specifically obligate aerobes and facultative anaerobes, require oxygen. When transcribing for educational purposes, it is essential to go beyond the superficial answer. **Key Points to Discuss:** 1. **Obligate Aerobes:** - These organisms strictly depend on oxygen for survival. - Oxygen is essential for the process of aerobic respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria. - During aerobic respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, which is crucial for the efficient production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. 2. **Facultative Anaerobes:** - These organisms can survive with or without oxygen. - In the presence of oxygen, they prefer aerobic respiration because it yields more ATP compared to anaerobic processes. - Without oxygen, facultative anaerobes switch to anaerobic respiration or fermentation to produce energy, although these processes are less efficient. 3. **Biological Significance:** - Understanding the oxygen requirement is crucial for applications in microbiology, such as growing cultures in laboratory settings. - Insights into oxygen dependency highlight evolutionary adaptations among different organisms based on their environments. This explanation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding for an educational audience, explaining both the biological processes and significance.
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