What is characteristic of anaerobic organisms?

Anaerobic organisms are defined by their ability to live and thrive without the presence of oxygen. These organisms have adapted to environments where oxygen is either scarce or completely absent, employing alternative metabolic pathways to generate energy. For example, some anaerobes may use fermentation to obtain energy, which does not involve oxygen.

This characteristic is fundamental to their survival, as they have evolved mechanisms that enable them to utilize substances other than oxygen for metabolic processes. Therefore, the correct response highlights the defining trait of anaerobic organisms, distinguishing them from aerobic organisms that depend on oxygen for their cellular functions. Understanding this distinction is crucial for studying microbial ecology and the variety of life forms that exist in diverse environments.