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When one decides to talk about bacteria, it is inevitable not to mention about the anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria are of two types, the strict anaerobes which refer to the type of bacteria that can only survive in the absence of oxygen and facultative anaerobes which refer to the bacteria that are able to survive both in the presence and absence of oxygen. Anaerobic means "life without air." Anaerobic bacteria grow in places which completely, or almost completely, lack oxygen. They are normally found in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina, and on the skin. Commonly known diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria include gas gangrene, tetanus, and botulism. Nearly all dental infections are caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria can infect deep wounds, deep tissues, and internal organs where there is little oxygen. These infections are characterized by abscess formation, foul-smelling pus, and tissue destruction.The signs and symptoms of anaerobic infection can vary depending on the location of the infection.For example it can be Mouth, head, and neck,female genital tract,Skin and soft tissue,Lungs. Anaerobic bacteria can cause brain and spinal cord abscesses too. You may have wondered why at times the doctor tells you not to cover your wound and in turn let it to be exposed to the free air. The big reason behind this approach is that, as you expose this wound, the anaerobic bacteria that might have been present inside the wound are exposed to oxygen found in the air and as a result of this, the bacteria get to die hence making the wound heal much more faster than if it had been left covered. The facultative anaerobes are anaerobic bacteria that can survive in both conditions where oxygen is present or where the gas is not present. However, when given a choice, these bacteria would prefer to use oxygen for respiration that is why when put inside a test tube full of water, you will find the bacteria on the top surface and once the oxygen appears to be fading, the bacteria are seen to move all over the test tube and finally settle down at the bottom surface when the gas has been consumed to completion. The facultative anaerobes are said to be comfortable with two ways of respiration. One of them is fermentation and the other is through the use of other electron acceptors. This way, the bacteria gets to survive in two types of environments. The yeast is a good example of the facultative anaerobic bacteria that exists on earth. It is able to use the fermentation way of respiration in order to generate its energy for its survival. It is this ability to ferment that makes the micro-organism to be used for the production of bread and doughnuts. When the yeast finds itself in a different environment, it switches to other electron acceptors such as carbon monoxide, iron and even sulfate so as to sustain itself in the new environment. This pattern of life would continue for as long as the yeast is alive. They say once you've known about the living pattern of anaerobic bacteria, no other living lifestyle of any organism would surprise you. Wangeci Kinyanjui is an expert on research and reporting on Health Matters for years.To get more information on anaerobic bacteria visit her site at ANAEROBIC BACTERIA
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