Endospore formation by sporulation

Spore wall (4 layers)

-Spore coat -Membrane -Peptidoglycan -Membrane

Triggers of spore formation:

-Waste build up -Desiccation -Harsh weather -Radiation * anything harmful to life

Only 2 genre that can produce spores

1. Bacillus: non-disease producing found in soil (except for Bacillus anthraeis) 2. Clostridium: causes most serious human conditions

Steps in spore formation

1. Spore septum begins to isolate newly replicated DNA and small portion cytoplasm 2. Plasma membrane starts to surround DNA cytoplasm & membrane isolated in step 1. 3. Spore septum surrounds isolated portion forming forespore (creates 2 membranes) 4. Peptidoglycan later forms between membranes 5. Spore coat forms 6. Endospore is freed from cell (released into environment) becoming an EXOspore (if remains inside the cell, it stays an ENDOspore and remains dormant)

Asporogenous

ALL other bacteria (ex. E.coli); non-spore producing (when faced with harmful conditions, the bacteria dies)

Sporogenous

ability to produce spores; when faced with environmental conditions, can remain dormant for many years.

Endospore

spore produced to protect or defend the bacteria itself against environmental conditions.