Anaerobes, in general, are organisms that survive without the need for oxygen. Hence, anaerobic bacteria are bacteria that thrive and survive in environments without oxygen. These bacteria will have different metabolic processes and requirements than their aerobic counterparts. Most anaerobic organisms will not survive in the presence of oxygen. Some are killed by oxygen, some do not use oxygen but tolerate it, and others survive without oxygen but will use it if it is available.
In humans, these types of bacteria reside in the gastrointestinal tract and cause various diseases, including appendicitis and diverticulitis.
Other examples of such bacteria include the following:
Bacteroides - gram negative, cause intra-abdominal infections
Porphyromonas - gram-negative, cause aspiration pneumonia
Clostridia - family of gram-positive bacteria responsible for botulism, food poisoning, and certain colitis.
Energy metabolism of anaerobes is referred to as anaerobic respiration, a form of respiration that does not involve oxygen.
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