Aerobic microbial metabolism

Aerobic microbial metabolism refers to the collection of biochemical reactions performed by microbes to obtain energy and nutrients in oxygen-rich environments. The most prominent pathway is aerobic respiration, in which glucose and other nutrients are oxidized, electrons are transferred through the electron transport chain using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor, and ATP is generated via oxidative phosphorylation. This process comprises glycolysis, acetyl-CoA formation, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), the electron transport chain, and chemiosmosis[1][2][7]. It is common in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and is essential for processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and bioremediation[2].

Other names

Aerobic respirationmicrobial aerobic catabolismoxygen-dependent microbial metabolism