What is a key characteristic of anaerobic processes?

Anaerobic processes are defined by their ability to occur without the presence of oxygen. This characteristic is fundamental to understanding how cells can generate energy in environments where oxygen is scarce or completely absent. For instance, certain types of fermentation, such as lactic acid fermentation in muscles or alcoholic fermentation in yeast, illustrate how organisms can still produce energy in the absence of oxygen.

While aerobic processes rely on oxygen for cellular respiration and yield a higher amount of ATP, anaerobic processes pave the way for various organisms to thrive in different ecological niches, allowing for metabolic flexibility. This is crucial in environments like deep in the soil, underwater sediments, or in the guts of some animals, where oxygen isn't available.