An anaerobe is an organism that lives which of the following?

An anaerobe is an organism that lives which of the following?

• A. Without oxygen
• B. Only in light
• C. With oxygen
• D. In water

Answer: (A)

Anaerobes are organisms that live without oxygen. The term comes from Greek roots meaning “without air,” so their growth and survival do not depend on, and can even be hindered by, the presence of oxygen. The other ideas aren’t defining: being active only in light describes photosynthetic organisms, not oxygen use; living with oxygen describes aerobes; and living in water is not a defining feature since many organisms in water can be either aerobic or anaerobic.

Anaerobes are organisms that live without oxygen. The term comes from Greek roots meaning “without air,” so their growth and survival do not depend on, and can even be hindered by, the presence of oxygen. The other ideas aren’t defining: being active only in light describes photosynthetic organisms, not oxygen use; living with oxygen describes aerobes; and living in water is not a defining feature since many organisms in water can be either aerobic or anaerobic.