noun
- Organisms or cells that thrive in oxygen-rich environments or have a strong affinity for oxygen.
Usage: biology; plural form of oxyphile
Examples
- Most mammals are oxyphiles, requiring oxygen for aerobic respiration.
- Oxyphiles dominate in well-oxygenated aquatic environments.
- The bacteria isolated from the surface water were identified as oxyphiles.
- In contrast to anaerobes, oxyphiles cannot survive in oxygen-depleted conditions.