What type of bacteria thrives only in the presence of oxygen?

Aerobes are a type of bacteria that require oxygen for their growth and metabolism. They utilize oxygen as the final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration, which allows them to produce energy more efficiently than anaerobic processes. Aerobes are crucial in various ecological environments where oxygen is present, and they play vital roles in processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling.

In contrast, anaerobes thrive in environments devoid of oxygen and may even find oxygen to be toxic. Facultative bacteria can adapt to both the presence and absence of oxygen, switching between aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways as needed. Microaerophiles, on the other hand, require oxygen but at lower concentrations than what is found in the atmosphere. This specificity is what distinguishes aerobes as the correct choice for this question, emphasizing their unique dependence on oxygen for survival and growth.