MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Anaerobic

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Anaerobic

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Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Anaerobic organism

Definition Return to top

Anaerobic means "without oxygen." Anaerobic bacteria are able to survive and grow in environments that have no oxygen. Anaerobic exercise, such as weight lifting, does not require heavy breathing because it relies on energy sources other than oxygen.

Anaerobic is the opposite of aerobic.

Update Date: 5/25/2007

Updated by: Daniel R Alexander, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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