What is the term used to describe animals that have to use non oxidative process to obtain (metabolic) energy?

Sourav PanAugust 15, 2024

Answered

The term used to describe animals that rely on non-oxidative processes (such as glycolysis and fermentation) to obtain metabolic energy is anaerobes or more specifically facultative anaerobes or obligate anaerobes depending on their relationship with oxygen.

• Facultative Anaerobes: These animals (or microorganisms) can switch between aerobic and anaerobic respiration depending on the availability of oxygen. They prefer oxygen when it is available (to produce more ATP via aerobic respiration), but can survive and generate energy anaerobically when oxygen is scarce.
• Obligate Anaerobes: These organisms are strictly anaerobic and cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. They rely entirely on anaerobic processes, such as fermentation, to obtain energy.

In a broader sense, anaerobes can describe organisms that utilize anaerobic respiration or fermentation to meet their energy needs in environments lacking oxygen.