Question

What triggers sporulation?

Answer 1

Sporulation:

1. It refers to the formation of spores from the vegetative cells of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi under unfavorable conditions (high temperature, low temperature, radiation, and lack of nutrition).
2. Sporulation can also be defined as the process of formation of the single-celled (haploid) reproductive structure under unfavorable conditions, and germination under favorable conditions.
3. Spores can be endospores (spores inside the vegetative cells) and exospores(spores formed outside the vegetative cells).

Sporulation in Bacteria:

1. Endospore formation in gram-positive bacteria is caused by a lack of nutrients
2. In endospore formation, the bacterium cell divides within its cell wall and then engulfs the other side.
3. Endospores allow bacteria to stay dormant for long periods, even for many centuries.
4. These spores are highly resistant to high temperature, and high salt concentration.
5. When the bacteria get favorable conditions it leads to the germination of spores.