Which microorganism requires oxygen to grow?

Which microorganism requires oxygen to grow?

• A. Aerobic
• B. Anaerobic
• C. Microaerophilic
• D. Facultative anaerobe

Answer: (A)

Oxygen needs classify how microbes obtain energy. Organisms that require oxygen for growth rely on aerobic respiration, using molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain to efficiently generate ATP. Because their metabolism depends on oxygen, without it they cannot grow or would grow poorly. In contrast, anaerobes do not require oxygen and can even be harmed by it; microaerophiles need only a small amount of oxygen, and facultative anaerobes can grow with or without oxygen, often preferring it but not requiring it. Therefore, the organism described is the aerobic one.

Oxygen needs classify how microbes obtain energy. Organisms that require oxygen for growth rely on aerobic respiration, using molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain to efficiently generate ATP. Because their metabolism depends on oxygen, without it they cannot grow or would grow poorly. In contrast, anaerobes do not require oxygen and can even be harmed by it; microaerophiles need only a small amount of oxygen, and facultative anaerobes can grow with or without oxygen, often preferring it but not requiring it. Therefore, the organism described is the aerobic one.