Anaerobic Respiration
Anaerobic Respiration - Related Videos
05:00
Cellular Respiration - Concepts
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2019
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs Living organisms require a continuous input of energy to maintain cellular and organismal functions such as growth, repair, movement, defense, and reproduction. Cells can only use chemical energy to fuel their functions, therefore they need to harvest energy from chemical bonds of biomolecules, such as sugars and lipids. Autotrophic organisms, namely plants, algae, and photosynthetic and chemosynthetic bacteria, convert inorganic materials into such biomolecules by...
05:44
Cellular Respiration - Student Protocol
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2019
Quantifying Respiration using Microrespirometers ExpandNOTE: In this experiment, you will measure the rate of cellular respiration for germinating seeds by measuring the rate of exchange for oxygen. As oxygen is consumed to provide energy, germinating seeds release carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is absorbed by potassium carbonate and thus the overall gaseous pressure of the respirometer will be reduced. HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis is that germinating seeds will show a greater...
02:03
Enrichment of Anode-Respiring Bacteria Using an On-Site Electrochemical System
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2025
Source: Okamoto, A., et al. Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the use of an on-site electrochemical system to enrich anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) from natural reservoirs. A redox gradient is established by placing the anode in oxygen-free deep water and the cathode in oxygen-rich surface water. ARB form biofilms and transfer electrons to the anode, which flows to the cathode, where oxygen is reduced,...
11:13
Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
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Cited by 100 •
2013
Clostridium difficile is a pathogenic bacterium that is a strict anaerobe and causes antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD). Here, methods for isolating, culturing and maintaining C. difficile vegetative cells and spores are described. These techniques necessitate an anaerobic chamber, which requires regular maintenance to ensure proper conditions for optimal C. difficile cultivation.
04:26
Bacterial Biosensor Assay for Detecting Bioavailable Mercury Under Anaerobic Conditions
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2025
Source: Stenzler, B. R. et. al., An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the use of genetically engineered bacterial biosensors to accurately measure the bioavailable fraction of mercury ions under anaerobic conditions. By varying the concentration of magnesium sulfate, the assay ensures that the biosensor selectively responds to free mercury ions, as indicated by changes in fluorescence intensity.
FAQs
They receive electrons after glycolysis when molecular oxygen is unavailable as the terminal acceptor. Nitrate, sulfate, and carbon dioxide can serve this role, linking electron transfer to different environmental transformations. The available acceptor therefore connects cellular energy production with changes in nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon cycling.
After glycolysis, electron transfer through an electron transport chain creates a proton gradient across a membrane. ATP synthase uses that gradient to drive ATP formation. This mechanism allows anaerobic respiration to remain coupled to membrane-based energy conservation even when oxygen cannot serve as the terminal electron acceptor.
The proton gradient stores energy generated during electron transport in an electrochemical form. ATP synthase then converts that stored energy into ATP, the usable cellular energy currency. Its formation explains how cells can obtain energy from anaerobic electron-transfer pathways rather than relying only on the reactions of glycolysis.
The process begins with glycolysis, followed by electron transfer through an electron transport chain. Electrons then reach an alternative terminal acceptor, such as nitrate, sulfate, or carbon dioxide. Electron transport establishes a proton gradient, and ATP synthase uses it to produce ATP, linking each stage into one energy-conserving sequence.
Anaerobic respiration supports bacteria and archaea in environments where oxygen is limited, including sediments, wetlands, soils, and animal-associated habitats. These settings provide ecological niches in which alternative electron acceptors can support energy production. Studying them helps explain microbial activity in oxygen-depleted parts of natural and host-associated systems.
The process is relevant to wastewater treatment and microbial ecology because it connects microbial energy production with transformations of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. It also supports research on life in extreme or oxygen-depleted environments. These applications use anaerobic metabolism to interpret environmental change and the activity of microorganisms in specialized habitats.