endospore

endospore
1. A resistant body formed within the vegetative cells of some bacteria, particularly those belonging to the genera Bacillus and Clostridium. 2. A fungus spore borne within a cell or within the tubular end of a sporophore as in the spherule of Coccidioides immitis. [endo- + G. sporos, seed]

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en·do·spore -.spō(ə)r, -.spȯ(ə)r n an asexual spore developed within the cell esp. in bacteria

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n.
the resting stage of certain bacteria, particularly species of the genera Bacillus and Clostridium. In adverse conditions the bacterium can become enclosed within a tough protective coat, allowing the cell to survive. On return of favourable conditions the spore changes back to the vegetative form.

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en·do·spore (enґdo-spor) [endo- + spore] 1. a thick-walled body formed within the vegetative cells of certain bacteria (e.g., Bacillus, Clostridium, Sarcina) that is able to withstand adverse environmental conditions for prolonged periods; under favorable conditions it will germinate to form a vegetative bacterium. See also spore. 2. an asexual fungal spore produced within the hyphae or cell, as in a spherule of Coccidioides immitis or in a sporangium.

Endospore release by Coccidioides immitis spherule in tissue (methenamine silver stain).


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Endospore — En do*spore, n. [Endo + spore.] (Bot.) The thin inner coat of certain spores. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • endospore — [ɑ̃dospɔʀ] n. f. ÉTYM. 1906, in Rev. gén. des sc., no 5, p. 216; de endo , et spore. ❖ ♦ Biol. Spore qui se développe à l intérieur d un organisme unicellulaire animal ou végétal ou à l intérieur d un réceptacle spécial chez des organismes… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • endosporé — endosporé, ée (an do spo ré, rée) adj. Terme de botanique. Dont les semences ou spores sont situées à l intérieur …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • endospore — 1875, from ENDO (Cf. endo ) + SPORE (Cf. spore) …   Etymology dictionary

  • endospore — [en′dōspôr′ē əm] n. pl. endosporia [en′dō spôr′əen′dō spôr΄] n. 1. an asexual spore formed within the cell wall of the parent cell, as in certain bacteria, fungi, and algae 2. the inner wall of a spore or pollen grain; intine: also endosporium… …   English World dictionary

  • Endospore — An endospore is a dormant, tough, and non reproductive structure produced by a small number of bacteria from the Firmicute phylum. The primary function of most endospores is to ensure the survival of a bacterium through periods of environmental… …   Wikipedia

  • Endospore — Form und Lage von Endosporen bei verschiedenen Bakterien: 1. Spore zentral 2. Spore terminal mit Einschlusskörper (Protein) 3. Spore terminal, Bakterie keulenförmig aufgetrieben 4. Spore zentral, Bakterie spindelförmig aufgetrieben ( Clostridium… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Endospore — Endospores (après coloration, en vert) chez Bacillus subtilis. L’endospore ou spore est une structure qui se forme au sein du cytoplasme de certaines espèces de bactéries lorsque les conditions environnementales sont défavorables (stress nutritif …   Wikipédia en Français

  • endospore — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1875 an asexual spore developed within the cell especially in bacteria …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • endospore — (en do spōr) An extremely heat and chemical resistant, dormant, thick walled spore that develops within bacteria …   Dictionary of microbiology

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