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Aerobic

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Aerobic organisms
Aerobic organisms

Definition    Return to top

Aerobic means oxygen is needed to survive, grow, or function properly.

For example, bacteria that require oxygen to grow are called aerobic bacteria.

Aerobic is the opposite of anaerobic.

Update Date: 10/20/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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