Year 1 Spores Flashcards
1
Q
What are bacterial endospores (spores)
A
Specialised structures - extremely robust
Survival mechanism to survive high temperatures, radiation or nutrient deprivation
e.g.
Bacillus sp.
Clostridium sp.
2
Q
What is sporulation?
A
Process of converting a vegetative (growing) cell into a spore
Spore is produced internally (containing DNA) and released
3
Q
What is germination?
A
When conditions are favourable for growth, the process of sporulation reverses and a vegetative cell is formed from an endospore
4
Q
Spore structure
A
Multi-layered Dehydration DNA packaged in the core Peptidoglycan cortext Proteinaceous spore coat later Exosporium (outer layer) - hard, like keratin
