What is "obligate anaerobe"

n. an organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen

Obligate anaerobes are microorganisms killed by normal atmospheric concentrations of oxygen (20.95% O). Oxygen tolerance varies between species, some capable of surviving in up to 8% oxygen, others losing viability unless the oxygen concentration is less than 0.5%. An important distinction needs to be made here between the obligate anaerobes and the microaerophiles. Microaerophiles, like the obligate anaerobes, are damaged by normal atmospheric concentrations of oxygen. However, microaerophiles metabolise energy aerobically, and obligate anaerobes metabolise energy anaerobically. Microaerophiles therefore require oxygen (typically 2-10% O) for growth. Obligate anaerobes do not.