The physical requirements that are optimal for bacterial growth vary

dramatically for different bacterial types. As a group, bacteria display the

widest variation of all organisms in their ability to inhabit
different environments.
One of the most-prominent differences between bacteria is their
requirement for, and response to, atmospheric oxygen (O2). Whereas
essentially all eukaryotic organisms require oxygen to thrive, many species
of bacteria can grow under anaerobic conditions. Bacteria that require
oxygen to grow are called obligate aerobic bacteria. In most cases, these
bacteria require oxygen to grow because their methods of energy production
and respiration depend on the transfer of electrons to oxygen, which is the
final electron acceptor in the electron transport reaction. Obligate aerobes
include Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

Bacteria that grow only in the absence of oxygen, such as Clostridium, Bacteroides, and the methane-
producing archaea (methanogens), are called obligate anaerobes because their energy-generating
metabolic processes are not coupled with the consumption of oxygen. In fact, the presence of
oxygen actually poisons some of their key enzymes. Some bacteria (S. pneumoniae) are
microaerophilic or aerotolerant anaerobes because they grow better in low concentrations of
oxygen. In these bacteria, oxygen often stimulates minor metabolic processes that enhance the
major routes of energy production. Facultative anaerobes can change their metabolic processes
depending on the presence of oxygen, using the more efficient process of respiration in the presence
of oxygen and the less efficient process of fermentation in the absence of oxygen. Examples of
facultative anaerobes include E. coli and S. aureus.

Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani, the causative agent of tetanus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Image Number : 6372)

The response of bacteria to oxygen is not determined simply by their metabolic needs. Oxygen is a
very reactive molecule and forms several toxic by-products, such as superoxide (O2−), hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2), and the hydroxyl radical (OH·). Aerobic organisms produce enzymes that detoxify
these oxygen products. The most common of detoxifying enzymes are catalase, which breaks down
hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide dismutase, which breaks down superoxide. The combined action
of these enzymes to remove hydrogen peroxide and superoxide is important because these by-
products together with iron form the extremely reactive hydroxyl radical, which is capable of killing
the cell. Anaerobic bacteria generally do not produce catalase, and their levels of superoxide
dismutase vary in rough proportion with the cell’s sensitivity to oxygen. Many anaerobes are
hypersensitive to oxygen, being killed upon short exposure, whereas other anaerobes, including most
Clostridium species, are more tolerant to the presence of oxygen.
How does oxygen affect bacterial growth?

Bacteria that require oxygen to grow are called obligate aerobic bacteria. In most cases, these
bacteria require oxygen to grow because their methods of energy production and respiration
depend on the transfer of electrons to oxygen, which is the final electron acceptor in the
electron transport reaction.

What are the types of oxygen requirements in bacteria ?