What type of bacteria can only grow in the absence of oxygen?

Anaerobic bacteria are a specific type of bacteria that thrive in environments devoid of oxygen. These organisms utilize alternative metabolic pathways that do not require oxygen for energy production. This characteristic allows them to grow and reproduce in conditions where aerobic bacteria, which need oxygen for their metabolic processes, cannot survive.

Anaerobic bacteria can be further categorized into different groups, including obligate anaerobes, which cannot tolerate even trace amounts of oxygen, and facultative anaerobes, which can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen but prefer oxygen when it is available. Understanding the metabolic requirements of these bacteria is crucial in fields such as microbiology, medicine, and environmental science. The ability of anaerobic bacteria to survive in low or no oxygen conditions makes them vital players in processes like fermentation and bioremediation, where oxygen-free environments are common.