National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

Anaerobic bacteria are defined by their ability to thrive in environments lacking oxygen. They do not require oxygen for growth and are able to carry out their metabolic processes in low-oxygen or even oxygen-free conditions. This characteristic allows them to occupy niches such as the human gut and deep tissue sites, where oxygen levels are minimal.

Those bacteria typically include species that are predominant in the gut, contributing to both normal flora and pathological conditions, such as periodontal infections. When assessing the given options, the option indicating that anaerobic bacteria require oxygen for growth does not align with their biological classification. Therefore, this option is recognized as the statement that does not accurately describe anaerobic bacteria.