ANAEROBIOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Anaerobiosis is a biological process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, where organisms or cells can survive and carry out metabolic activities through anaerobic respiration or fermentation. It is the opposite of aerobiosis, which refers to the process of living in the presence of oxygen.
During anaerobiosis, organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and certain types of cells, can generate energy without relying on oxygen as the final acceptor of electrons in the electron transport chain. Instead, they use alternative inorganic molecules, such as nitrate or sulfate, or organic compounds like pyruvate, as their final electron acceptors. This allows them to continue essential metabolic processes like glycolysis to extract energy from glucose and maintain vital cellular functions.
Anaerobiosis often occurs in environments where oxygen is limited or absent, such as deep water bodies, sediments, or the digestive tracts of animals. Some anaerobes are obligate anaerobes, meaning they strictly require anaerobic conditions to survive, while others are facultative anaerobes that can switch between aerobic and anaerobic respiration depending on oxygen availability.
Understanding anaerobiosis is vital in various fields, including microbiology, biological research, and environmental studies. Researchers often study anaerobes to gain insights into their metabolism, adaptability, and ecological roles. Moreover, anaerobic processes have practical applications, such as in biogas production, industrial fermentation processes, and the treatment of wastewater.
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Existence in an oxygen-free atmosphere.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Etymology of ANAEROBIOSIS
The word "anaerobiosis" is made up of two Greek roots: "an", meaning "without", and "aer", meaning "air", and the suffix "-biosis", meaning "life". The term was coined in the late 19th century to describe a biological process in which living organisms can survive and function without the presence of oxygen. It is often used to refer to anaerobic respiration or the ability of certain organisms to generate energy without using oxygen.
