Strict anaerobes

Strict anaerobes are microorganisms that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. They thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as deep soils, sediment layers, and the human gut. Exposure to oxygen can be harmful or lethal to these organisms because they lack the necessary enzymes to detoxify reactive oxygen species. They rely on alternative metabolic processes that do not require oxygen to generate energy, making their survival dependent on oxygen-free conditions. Understanding strict anaerobes is important in medical and environmental contexts, as they can cause infections and play roles in natural nutrient cycles.