endospore
Dormant bacterial cell
An endospore is a tough, dormant structure formed by certain bacteria to survive harsh conditions—extreme heat, desiccation, radiation, or lack of nutrients.
The bacterium essentially encases its genetic material in a protective shell and waits, sometimes for centuries, until conditions improve.
Endospores make some pathogens like anthrax and botulism particularly difficult to eliminate through ordinary sterilization.
Forming hardy reproductive cells
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- septumInternal anatomical partition
engulfment · maturation · release · core · germination · outgrowth · activation
Cylindrical bacterial cell
- anthraxSpore-forming bacterial disease
- botulismBacterial food poisoning
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
- prokaryoteCell without nuclear membrane
pathogen · microorganism · bacterium · toxin · infection · disease · sterilization · autoclave
State of being inactive
- latencyDelay in system response
- stasisState of inactivity
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
- suspended animationHalted vital functions, reversible
resting state · viability · longevity · preservation · reactivation · dormant · inert · stable
Tolerance to high temperatures
- durabilityResistance to wear
- impermeabilityResistance to passage
- hardyAble to endure difficulty
- robustStrong and durable
extremophile · thermophile · survival · persistence · resilience · hardiness · impervious
Setting into operation
- outgrowthSomething developing from another
- rehydrationReplacing lost water
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- emergenceComing into existence
sporulation
Forming hardy reproductive cells
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
septum · engulfment · maturation · release · core · germination · outgrowth · activation
bacillus
Cylindrical bacterial cell
- anthraxSpore-forming bacterial disease
- botulismBacterial food poisoning
- tetanusMuscle-stiffening bacterial disease
prokaryote · pathogen · microorganism · bacterium · toxin · infection · disease · sterilization · autoclave · pasteurization
quiescence
State of being inactive
- latencyDelay in system response
- stasisState of inactivity
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
suspended animation · resting state · viability · longevity · preservation · reactivation · dormant · inert · stable
heat resistance
Tolerance to high temperatures
- durabilityResistance to wear
- impermeabilityResistance to passage
- hardyAble to endure difficulty
robust · extremophile · thermophile · survival · persistence · resilience · hardiness · impervious
activation
Setting into operation
- outgrowthSomething developing from another
- rehydrationReplacing lost water
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
emergence · alanine · favorable conditions · revival · sprouting