Respiration in Bacteria (Basics)

Bacterial respiration can be broadly categorized into two types: aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.

1. Aerobic Respiration
Definition: Respiration that requires oxygen to produce energy.

Process: Glucose is fully oxidized to carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.

Examples:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Bacillus subtilis
2. Anaerobic Respiration
Definition: Respiration that does not require oxygen to produce energy.
Types:
Obligate Anaerobes: Bacteria that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.
Facultative Anaerobes: Bacteria that can use oxygen but can also survive without it.
A. Fermentation (a type of anaerobic respiration)
Process: Partial oxidation of glucose without using oxygen, producing organic acids, alcohol, or gases.

Examples:
Paracoccus denitrificans (nitrate reduction)
Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (sulfate reduction)
Methanococcus jannaschii (carbon dioxide reduction to methane)