Texas Wastewater Class B Practice Exam

Facultative bacteria can thrive in which type of conditions?

1. Only aerobic

2. Only anaerobic

3. Both aerobic and anaerobic

4. Neither aerobic nor anaerobic

The correct answer is: Both aerobic and anaerobic

Facultative bacteria are versatile microorganisms capable of surviving and thriving in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This adaptability allows them to utilize oxygen when it is available for aerobic respiration to generate energy efficiently. When oxygen is scarce, facultative bacteria can switch to anaerobic respiration or fermentation processes to continue producing energy. This ability to function in varying environments makes them crucial to many ecological processes, particularly in wastewater treatment where conditions can change rapidly. The other choices focus on restricting the capability of facultative bacteria to only one type of environmental condition, which does not accurately reflect their biological characteristics. This flexibility is what distinguishes them from strictly aerobic or strictly anaerobic bacteria, which can only survive in their respective conditions.