Endospore vs Vegetative Cell
Bacterial endospores are special tough, dormant and resistant spores produced by some Gram-positive bacteria of during unfavorable environmental conditions. They help the bacteria to endure the unfavorable conditions. The endospores are structurally, metabolically and functionally very different from bacterial vegetative cells. In the previous post, we have discussed about the Structure, Characteristics, Significance and Formation of Endospores.
Bacterial Endospores under Phase-contrast microscope
In this post, we will discuss about the Difference between a Bacterial Endospore and Vegetative Cell with a Comparison Table.
Bacillus: vegetative cells (pink) and Endospores (green)( Image Source CC Wikipedia)
Difference between Bacterial Endospores and Vegetative Cells
Characteristics Vegetative Cells Bacterial Endospores
Appearance under Microscope Non refractive Refractive
Structure Typical Gram Positive or Negative bacterial Cell Thick spore like structure with exosporium, spore coat, cortex and core wall
Level of Calcium Low level in vegetative cells High calcium level in endospores
Dipicolinic acid Absent in vegetative cells Present in endospores
Activity of Enzymes High enzymatic activity Very low enzymatic activity
Respiration rate Respiration rate high Usually respiration absent, very less if present
Macromolecule Synthesis Occurs Not Occurs
Presence of mRNA mRNA present in the vegetative cells mRNA absent in the endospores
Heat resistance capacity Very low heat resistance capacity Very high heat resistance capacity
Resistance to Radiations Very low Very high resistance
Resistance to chemicals such as H2O2 or Acids Very low Very high resistance
Staining properties Stainable with common bacterial dyes Un-stainable with common dyes, requires special stains
Effect of lysozyme enzyme Vegetative cells are sensitive to the activity of lysozyme Endospores are resistant to the action of lysozyme
Level of water content High (80 – 90% of the cell) Very low (10 – 20%)
pH of Cytoplasm Always maintained above pH 7.0 About 5.5 to 6 in the core of the spore
Small Acid Soluble Proteins (SASPs) SASPs absent in vegetative cells SASPs Present in vegetative cells
Conformation of DNA Usually B-form of DNA Usually A-form of DNA
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