anaerobic

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anaerobic Connected with the absence of oxygen or air, or not dependent on oxygen or air for survival. An anaerobic organism (anaerobe), such as a bacterium or yeast, is a microorganism that can survive by releasing energy from glucose and other foods in the absence of oxygen. The process by which it does so is called anaerobic respiration. It differs from aerobic respiration, in which an organism must have oxygen to release energy. Most anaerobes can survive in oxygen but do not need it for respiration.

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