donaldcat Messages 7 Reaction score 0 Thread starter Feb 27, 2006 #1 I want to ask why the presence of oxygen is fatal to obligate anaerobes. Thank you.
iansmith Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Gold Member Messages 1,317 Reaction score 2 Feb 27, 2006 #2 oxygen can react with ions and create free radical and superoxides radical. These can damage the cell. Look for the Haber-Weiss cycle and the Fenton reaction.
oxygen can react with ions and create free radical and superoxides radical. These can damage the cell. Look for the Haber-Weiss cycle and the Fenton reaction.