Question
Biology Question on human health and disease
The bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) that causes botulism is:
A
a facultative anaerobe
B
an obligate anaerobe
C
a facultative aerobe
D
an obligate aerobe
Answer
an obligate anaerobe
Explanation
Solution
Clostridium botulinum is an obligate anaerobic bacterium, meaning it can only grow and survive in the absence of oxygen. It produces a potent neurotoxin that can lead to the symptoms of botulism when ingested in contaminated food.
So, the correct option is (B): an obligate anaerobe