50. ENDOSPORES

Question 1

1. Some prokaryotes are Sporogenic.
   What does this mean?

Answer 1

• this means that they have the ability to form
  Endospores
• these are also known as Spores

Question 2

2. Under which conditions do Endospores form?

Answer 2

• they form under Harsh Conditions

EXAMPLE:
- very high temperatures
- very low temperatures
- dry environments

Question 3

3. List 3 characteristics of Endospores.

Answer 3

1. They are Metabolically inactive
2. They remain viable in harsh conditions for years
3. They are resistant to:
   - temperature
   - dryness
   - UV light
   - enzymes
   - chemicals
   - drugs

Question 4

4. List 2 examples of Endospores.

Answer 4

1. Bacilli
2. Clostridia

Question 5

5. What happens to Endospores when they find themselves in optimal and favourable conditions?

Answer 5

• they can grow back into prokaryotic cells
• these cells are also vegetative

Question 6

6. What are the 4 components of the Endospore Structure?

Answer 6

1. Cytoplasmic Membrane
2. Cortex
3. Coat
4. Exposure

Question 7

7. What is the function of the Cortex?

Answer 7

• it provides a resistance to high temperatures

Question 8

8. Does this diagram make sense?

Answer 8

• yes
• this diagram shows Bacillus Anthracis
• this is a bacteria that causes Anthrax
• it used to be used as a Biological Weapon

Question 9

9. What are the two key features of Prokaryotic Reproduction?

Answer 9

1. They reproduce quickly
   - this is the result of Binary Fission
2. They have short generation times
   • they can divide every 1 to 3 hours

Question 10

10. What is the advantage of the short generation time of Prokaryotes?

Answer 10

• they can undergo a Rapid Evolution
• their evolution is Adaptive

Question 11

11. What is meant by an Adaptive Evolution of Bacteria?

Answer 11

• this is known as Adaptation
• this is what allows them to become resistant to
  Antibiotics

Question 12

12. Are Prokaryotes primitive?

Answer 12

• NO
• they are highly evolved

Question 13

13. What happens in Step 1 of Binary Fission?

Answer 13

• Chromosome replication begins
• one copy of the origin moves
• it moves rapidly toward the other end of the cell

Question 14

14. What happens in Step 2 of Binary Fission?

Answer 14

• the Replication continues
• one copy of the origin is now at each end of the cell

Question 15

15. What happens in Step 3 of Binary Fission?

Answer 15

• the Replication finishes
• the plasma membrane grows inwards
• this plasma membrane is now known as the
  Mesosome
• the new cell wall is deposited
• this is called Cell Plate Formation

Question 16

16. What happens in Step 4 of Binary Fission?

Answer 16

• two daughter cells will result

Question 17

17. Do Prokaryotes have much genetic variation?

Answer 17

• yes

Question 18

18. Which three factors are responsible for the Genetic Variation of Prokaryotes?

Answer 18

1. Rapid Evolution
2. Mutations
   - these accumulate in the Prokaryote Population
3. Genetic Recombination
   - this results in high genetic diversity
   - this allows for Rapid Evolution to take place