Bacteria can be aerobic, anaerobic, or facultative anaerobes. These terms describe how they respond to oxygen. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to live. Anaerobic bacteria will die around oxygen. Facultative anaerobes function best with oxygen but do not need it.
Some bacteria are good for you, including the bacteria in your digestive system, or gut. These bacteria help to break down food and keep you healthy. Other good bacteria can produce oxygen are used to create antibiotics. Bacteria are used in food production to make yogurt and fermented foods.
