VEGETATIVE CELL TEMPERATURE RELATIONS

In adverse conditions, some bacteria can enter a dormant state known as a spore. Spores can remain dormant for decades and can survive under extreme temperatures and other adverse environmental conditions. Unlike fungi (Chapter 20), formation of spores is not related to reproduction and is done strictly as a protective mechanism. Upon reactivation, each spore produces a single active bacteria. Spores are normally spherical or oval and are only a fraction of the size of the active (i.e., vegetative) cell. 

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