anaerobic

Definitions

an- (without) + aer (air, oxygen) + -obic (related to life, from bios) = 'living without air.' Anaerobic bacteria thrive where there is no oxygen; anaerobic exercise (like sprinting) burns energy without relying on oxygen. The -obic carries the bio 'life' root, worn down in the aerobic/anaerobic pair.

Why It Means This

The bio root is buried inside -obic. Greek aer (air) + bios (life) gave aerobios 'living in air'; drop the air with an- and you get anaerobic, 'living without air.' Pasteur coined the term in 1863 for microbes that survive without oxygen.

Common Collocations

• 1.anaerobic respiration厌氧呼吸
• 2.anaerobic bacteria厌氧菌
• 3.anaerobic exercise无氧运动

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Anaerobic bacteria break down waste in sealed tanks.

• 2.

  Sprinting relies on anaerobic energy for short bursts.

• 3.

  The deep mud is an anaerobic environment.

Easily Confused

anaerobic vs aerobic — they are opposites. aerobic = with oxygen (aerobic exercise = steady cardio that keeps you breathing); anaerobic = without oxygen (anaerobic = short, intense bursts your lungs can't keep up with). The single an- flips the meaning.