BI 203 Lab Quiz 7 (9/21 Quiz)

Endospore Staining

When are endospore formed?

In high stress environments when conditions are not favorable for the bacteria to grow.

What are endospores resistant to?

heat, drying, radiation, some chemical disinfectants

What is the process of spores being formed called?

Sporulation

What are spores formed to protect?

DNA

What happens to the spores once environmental conditions become favorable?

Spores will germinate into a single vegetative cell

What are two major genera of bacteria that produce endospores, where are they found?

Clostridium: in soil bacterium, causes tetanus

Bacillus: probiotic in fermented foods

How long does the full process of endospore formation ususally take?

15 hours

What is the cortex made of?

Synthesized peptidoglycan

What is the exposporium made of?

Lipids and proteins

What is the spore coat made of, what is special about it?

Keratin-like proteins, it is hard to stain and break

What are the layers of a spore (inner to outer)?

Core, inner membrane, germ cell all, cortex, outer membrane, spore coats, exposporium

Where are the spores of younger and older cultures?

Younger: Inside

Older: Outside