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.

---

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

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• endosporous adjective
• endosporously adverb

Etymology

Origin of endospore

First recorded in 1870–75; endo- + spore

Example Sentences

When induced into forming an endospore the bacteria can survive the harsh conditions inside concrete, lying dormant until called into action.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

While this is happening, the bacteria are activated from their endospore form in the presence of carbon and a nutrient source in the concrete.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

In times of —when nutrition is scarce, for example— forms an endospore: a resilient, dehydrated version of its former self.

From Scientific American • Sep. 3, 2013

The endospore is thick and composed of several layers, colourless, and covered with warts, which correspond and fit into those of the epispore.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

The ripe endospore is a thick, smooth, colourless membrane, composed of cellulose containing a bed of finely granulated protoplasm, which surrounds a great central vacuole.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)