Oxygen is toxic to

Question

Oxygen is toxic to

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Strict anaerobes lack the enzymes necessary to neutralize toxic forms of oxygen, such as superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, making them sensitive to the presence of oxygen. Strict aerobes, on the other hand, require oxygen for survival and have evolved to utilize it efficiently, while facultative anaerobes are capable of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration and have mechanisms to detoxify oxygen-containing molecules. Aerotolerant organisms, while not utilizing oxygen for energy, have mechanisms to tolerate its presence and are not harmed by it. Therefore, only strict anaerobes are harmed by the presence of oxygen.

Oxygen Is Toxic to