Anaerobiosis is a term that is often used in the field of biology and microbiology. It refers to the absence of oxygen in an environment or the ability of an organism to survive in the absence of oxygen. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of anaerobiosis, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and provide examples of its usage.
Definitions
Anaerobiosis is defined as the condition in which an organism or a system can survive and function without the presence of oxygen. This can be achieved through various metabolic pathways, such as fermentation or anaerobic respiration, which do not require oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
Origin
The term anaerobiosis is derived from the Greek words “an-” meaning without, and “aer” meaning air. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the ability of certain microorganisms to grow and reproduce in the absence of oxygen.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anaerobiosis is defined as “the state or condition of living or occurring in the absence of free oxygen”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the state or condition of being without oxygen”. Both definitions highlight the absence of oxygen as a key characteristic of anaerobiosis.
Associations
Anaerobiosis is often associated with the growth and metabolism of microorganisms in environments where oxygen is limited or absent. It is also associated with certain physiological processes in animals, such as muscle tissue during intense exercise.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of anaerobiosis include anoxia, hypoxia, and anaerobic metabolism. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe the absence or limited availability of oxygen in a given environment.
Antonyms
The antonyms of anaerobiosis are aerobiosis and aerobic respiration. These terms describe the presence and utilization of oxygen in a given environment or metabolic pathway.
The same root words
The root words of anaerobiosis, “an-” and “aer”, are also found in other scientific terms. For example, the term anaerobic means “without oxygen”, while the term aerobic means “with oxygen”. These terms are often used to describe different metabolic pathways or physiological processes.
Example Sentences
- The bacteria in the soil were able to survive through anaerobiosis despite the lack of oxygen.
- The athlete’s muscles were producing energy through anaerobic metabolism during the sprint.
- The laboratory experiment was conducted under anaerobic conditions to study the effects of oxygen deprivation on the microorganisms.
- The medical team had to administer oxygen to the patient who was experiencing severe hypoxia due to anaerobiosis.