Which of the following is not a characteristic of aerobic bacteria?

Aerobic bacteria are defined by their requirement for oxygen to grow and thrive. They engage in aerobic respiration, a process that utilizes oxygen to convert substrates (such as sugars) into energy, specifically ATP. Therefore, the options that assert the need for and the presence of oxygen to promote growth are accurate representations of aerobic bacteria’s characteristics.

The option that states aerobic bacteria thrive in anaerobic environments is not correct because anaerobic environments lack oxygen, which is essential for the survival and metabolic processes of aerobic bacteria. These bacteria are specifically adapted to environments where oxygen is present, and they would be unable to sustain their energy production and growth in conditions devoid of oxygen. Such an environment would lead to the cessation of their metabolic processes that depend on aerobic respiration, underscoring the incorrectness of the statement about thriving in anaerobic conditions.

In summary, option C directly contradicts the nature of aerobic bacteria, making it the only choice that does not accurately describe their essential characteristics.