Bacteria - Endospores Flashcards
What are endospores?
Tough, dormant cells which form around a duplicated DNA strand inside a bacterial cell when conditions are unfavourable for growth
What happens after an endospore is produced within a bacteria cell?
The bacteria cell disintegrates and the endospore remains dormant until conditions become suitable for growth again
What happens to an endospore when conditions become favourable?
The tough wall of the endospore breaks down
What happens after an endospore breaks down its tough wall when conditions are favourable?
The DNA within the endospore duplicates itself and becomes a normal bacterial cell again
List two ways of destroying bacterial endospores.
Moist heat: 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes
Dry heat: 150 degrees Celsius for one hour
What are two examples of bacteria which produce endospores?
Bacilli
Clostridia
