Question

How do facultative anaerobes differ from aerotolerant anaerobes?

Answer 1

An anaerobe is an organism which does not require oxygen for life.

1) " Facultative " as the name suggests means optional.

So basically facultative anaerobes are quite flexible, they can survive and metabolise either with or without oxygen.

When supplied with oxygen they respire and produce ATP and when there is no oxygen they undergo the fermentation process.

2) aerotolerant anaerobes on the other hand only 'tolerate' oxygen but do not grow in it, they can only grow and ferment in anaerobic conditions.