endospore

American  

[en-duh-spawr, -spohr] / ˈɛn dəˌspɔr, -ˌspoʊr /

noun

1. Botany, Mycology. the inner coat of a spore.

2. Bacteriology. a spore formed within a cell of a rod-shaped organism.

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endospore British  

/ ˈɛndəʊˌspɔː, ˌɛndəʊˈspɔːrəs, ɛnˈdɒspərəs /

noun

1. a small asexual spore produced by some bacteria and algae

2. the innermost wall of a spore or pollen grain

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endospore Scientific  

/ ĕn′də-spôr′ /

1. A rounded, inactive form that certain bacteria assume under conditions of extreme temperature, dryness, or lack of food. The bacterium develops a waterproof cell wall that protects it from being dried out or damaged. Bacteria have been known to remain dormant but alive in the form of endospores for long periods of time, even thousands of years.

2. Also called endosporium

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• endosporously
  adverb
• endosporous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of endospore

First recorded in 1870–75; endo- + spore