What term describes a biological process that requires oxygen?

The term that describes a biological process that requires oxygen is "aerobic." In aerobic processes, organisms utilize oxygen to produce energy through cellular respiration. This process typically involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Aerobic respiration is essential for many organisms, including humans, as it is an efficient way to generate energy, allowing for more complex metabolic functions and sustaining higher levels of activity. Contrastingly, anaerobic processes do not require oxygen and often yield less energy. Facultative organisms can function in both aerobic and anaerobic environments, but the defining characteristic of aerobic processes is their dependence on oxygen. Microaerophilic organisms thrive in low-oxygen environments but still rely on oxygen for their metabolic processes, albeit less than strict aerobes.