Which term refers to a process that does not require oxygen?

The term that refers to a process that does not require oxygen is "anaerobic." This term is used to describe organisms, environments, or processes that can occur in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration, for instance, allows certain organisms to produce energy through metabolic pathways that do not involve oxygen, often resulting in byproducts such as lactic acid or ethanol, depending on the specific metabolic pathway utilized.

In contrast, aerobic processes are those that do require oxygen, such as aerobic respiration, which is the most efficient form of energy production in many organisms. Obligate aerobes are organisms that rely strictly on oxygen for their survival and metabolism, while facultative anaerobes can switch between aerobic and anaerobic processes depending on the availability of oxygen. Thus, the correct understanding of "anaerobic" as a process that functions without oxygen is fundamental to distinguishing different metabolic pathways and understanding microbial ecology.