What is the Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria?

The main difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria lies in their ability to use oxygen for energy production and their survival in its presence. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Oxygen requirement: Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to carry out their metabolic processes, while anaerobic bacteria can survive and grow in the absence of oxygen.
• Energy production: Aerobic bacteria produce more energy during their metabolic processes, whereas anaerobic bacteria produce less energy.
• Final electron acceptor: In aerobic bacteria, the final electron acceptor is molecular oxygen, whereas in anaerobic bacteria, it can be carbon dioxide, sulfur, fumarate, or ferric.
• Examples: Some examples of aerobic bacteria include E. Coli, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Examples of anaerobic bacteria include Actinomyces, Bifidobacterium, Fusobacterium, Propionibacterium, Clostridium, and Bacteroides.

Aerobic bacteria are more common, accounting for about 75% of all known types of bacteria. Both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria play essential roles in various biological processes and can be found in different environments. However, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other.

Comparative Table: Aerobic vs Anaerobic Bacteria

Here is a table summarizing the differences between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:

Aerobic bacteria require oxygen for growth and survival, while anaerobic bacteria can survive and grow in the absence of oxygen. Aerobic bacteria produce more energy but are less tolerant of oxygen than anaerobic bacteria. The final electron acceptor for aerobic bacteria is molecular oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria use substances like nitrates, sulfur, and methane as final electron acceptors. In liquid media, aerobic bacteria grow on the surface, while anaerobic bacteria settle at the bottom.