Biology

Facultative

Optional or capable of but not requiring a particular mode of life. The opposite of obligate.

Used in the Books

This term appears in 1 chapter:

Regeneration and Sustainability Nutrient Cycling

"NO₃⁻ is water-soluble and can leach from soils, representing nutrient loss. Denitrification: Other specialized bacteria (facultative anaerobes) reduce NO₃⁻ back to N₂ gas under anaerobic conditions, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere and completing the cycle."

Biological Context

A facultative parasite can live either as a parasite or independently. Facultative anaerobes can survive with or without oxygen. The term indicates flexibility and the ability to switch between modes depending on conditions.

Related Terms

Obligate

Tags

relationshipsflexibilityfundamental