Anaerobes and Oxygen

name yvonne
status student
grade 9-12
location DE

Question - Why are anaerobes unable to reproduce in the
presence of oxygen? Why will they die?
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Oxygen breaks down into what are known as free radicals which are toxic to
all cells.  Organisms that live in an oxygen atmosphere have enzymes that
can turn the free radicals into something less toxic.  Anaerobes don't have
these enzymes and are killed by the free radicals.

vanhoeck
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Excellent question!

One theory is that anaerobes lack enzymes like catalase and super-oxide
dismutase which can break down hydrogen peroxide and other toxic oxygen
compounds which form during cell metabolism in an aerobic environment.

Ron Baker, PhD.
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