Difference Between Aerobic And Anaerobic Bacteria

Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are single-celled or non-cellular creatures in microbiology that are distinguished by their ability to reproduce via fission. They occur in a variety of shapes, the most common of which are spiral, rod, and spherical. Though they are frequently considered plants, the absence of chlorophyll distinguishes them from other plants. While the primary distinction between the two is that the former flourishes in an oxygenated environment and the latter in an oxygen-depleted one, there are additional distinctions that must be overlooked.

Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria

Characteristics	Aerobic	Anaerobic
Respiration	It needs oxygen to survive.	It doesn’t need oxygen to survive.
Energy	It produces more energy.	It produces less energy.
Electron	In Aerobic bacteria, the final electron acceptor is Molecular oxygen.	In Anaerobic bacteria, the final electron acceptor is carbon dioxide, sulfur, nitrate, fumarate, or ferric.
Behavior with liquid	In Aerobic bacteria, the bacteria are seen on the surface of the liquid.	Anaerobic bacteria settle at the bottom of the liquid.
Location	Aerobes can be found in a variety of environments, such as dirt and water.	Anaerobes are found in places that lack oxygen or have low oxygen levels.
Final product of electron chain transport	Water	Acetate like nitrate, sulfide etc.
Example	Mycobacterium tuberculosis	Clostridium

What are Aerobic Bacteria?

Aerobic Bacteria are the types of bacteria that require oxygen for fundamental survival, growth, and reproduction. Isolating these germs is as simple as cultivating a large number of bacterial strains in a liquid medium. They come to the surface in search of the most oxygen available, since they need it to survive. Example of aerobic bacteria.

• Bacillus
• Nocardia

What are Anaerobic Bacteria?

Anaerobic Bacteria are bacteria that do not require oxygen to grow. They are also known as anaerobes. Aero-tolerant anaerobes, which can survive in the presence of oxygen, and obligatory anaerobes, which cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, are two forms of anaerobic organisms. Examples of anaerobic bacteria

• Bacteroides
• Escherichia coli

Fermentation is used by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to make ATP, which is a key energy source for all living cells. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are produced as byproducts. The distinction between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria is analogous to the distinction between symbiotic and parasitic interactions. Anaerobic bacteria benefit their hosts in low-oxygen environments such as hot springs or sinkholes. Aerobic bacteria, on the other hand, can be found in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and even the human intestines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, aerobic bacteria are those that require oxygen to carry out their metabolisms. They are in a large majority and makeup 75% of all the known types of bacteria. Most of them live on or near the surfaces of plant or animal life. Aerobic bacteria provide many benefits to their hosts, such as defense against other harmful organisms or nutrients for metabolism. On the other hand, anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen to carry out their metabolisms, making them more common in low-oxygen conditions like hot springs and sinkholes.

FAQs on Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria

Q1: What is the difference between Aerobic bacteria and Anaerobic bacteria?

Answer:

Anaerobic bacteria can grow and thrive without oxygen, whereas aerobic bacteria need it to do so.

Q2: Where does energy come from for aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria?

Answer:

Aerobic bacteria gain energy by breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen, a process known as aerobic respiration. In the absence of oxygen, anaerobic bacteria obtain energy through anaerobic respiration or fermentation.

Q3: What are Aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria’s preferred environments?

Answer:

Aerobic bacteria are typically found in high-oxygen habitats, such as the skin’s surface, the respiratory tract, and the gastrointestinal tract. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in low-oxygen or oxygen-depleted habitats such as deep soil layers, the intestine, and oral cavities.

Q4: What role do aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms play in wound healing?

Answer:

Aerobic bacteria are often less damaging to wound healing than anaerobic bacteria because they do not release as many toxins. Toxins produced by anaerobic bacteria, on the other hand, might interfere with the healing process, potentially leading to delayed wound healing or the formation of abscesses.