aerobe
/'eəroub/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An organism, especially a bacterium, that requires air or free oxygen for life and growth. Aerobes cannot survive in environments without oxygen.
Usage
- The term "aerobe" is used primarily in scientific contexts, especially in biology, microbiology, and medicine, to classify organisms based on their oxygen requirements.
- It is a countable noun (e.g., an aerobe, many aerobes).
Examples
- Noun:
- Most animals are obligate aerobes, needing oxygen to produce energy.
- The lab culture confirmed the presence of an aerobe in the sample.
- This particular aerobe thrives in well-oxygenated water.
Advanced Usage
- "Obligate aerobe": An organism that requires oxygen for cellular respiration and cannot grow without it.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate aerobe.
- "Facultative aerobe": An organism that can use oxygen for growth but can also switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration in its absence. (Note: This is more commonly termed a "facultative anaerobe," but the concept of a facultative relationship to oxygen is relevant.)
- E. coli is often described as a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can live with or without oxygen.
Variants and Related Words
- Aerobic (adj): Relating to, involving, or requiring free oxygen.
- Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health.
- Aerobically (adv): In an aerobic manner.
- The bacteria grew aerobically in the incubator.
- Aerobiosis (n): Life sustained in the presence of air or oxygen.
- The process of aerobiosis is essential for these microbes.
Synonyms
- Oxygen-dependent organism: An organism that requires oxygen.
- Aerobic organism: Another term for an aerobe.
Antonyms
- Anaerobe (n): An organism that does not require oxygen for growth and may even die in its presence.
- Clostridium botulinum is a dangerous anaerobe.
Noun
- an organism (especially a bacterium) that requires air or free oxygen for life