Which type of bacteria requires oxygen for survival?

Aerobic bacteria are defined by their requirement for oxygen to survive and grow. They utilize oxygen in cellular respiration to produce energy, which is essential for their metabolic processes. This group of bacteria can effectively use oxygen to break down organic compounds, making them proficient at generating ATP, which is the energy currency in cells.

In contrast, facultative anaerobes can survive with or without oxygen; they have the metabolic flexibility to switch between aerobic respiration and fermentation depending on the availability of oxygen. Obligate anaerobes, on the other hand, cannot tolerate oxygen and may be harmed by its presence; they thrive in environments devoid of oxygen. Microaerophilic organisms require low levels of oxygen for survival but cannot survive in atmospheric levels of oxygen, making their oxygen needs more specialized than those of aerobic bacteria.

Thus, the clear distinction of aerobic bacteria lies in their absolute dependence on oxygen for their survival, which is the hallmark feature that defines this category.