SPORULATION Meaning and
Definition
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Sporulation is a biological process by which certain microorganisms, fungi, and plants produce specialized cells known as spores. These spores serve as a means of reproduction and survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. Sporulation typically occurs when the growth conditions become suboptimal or in response to specific signals.
During sporulation, the cell undergoes a series of intricate morphological and physiological changes. The process begins with the formation of a sporangium, a structure that encapsulates the developing spores. Within the sporangium, the parent cell undergoes division and differentiation, leading to the formation of individual spores. Often, these spores are highly resistant to desiccation, heat, and various other harsh conditions, enabling them to survive for extended periods.
Sporulation is a widely observed phenomenon in numerous organisms. Many bacteria, such as Bacillus and Clostridium species, exhibit sporulation to form endospores that can withstand adverse conditions. Similarly, certain fungi, including molds and yeasts, undergo sporulation to produce asexual spores for dispersal and reproduction. Additionally, some plants, particularly ferns, mosses, and algae, utilize sporulation to produce spores that can germinate into new individuals.
The ability to undergo sporulation is an adaptive trait that increases the survival and dispersal potential of these organisms. The process enables them to persist through unfavorable conditions until more favorable circumstances arise. Understanding the mechanisms and regulation of sporulation has significant implications in various fields including biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine.
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Production of or division into spores, a mode of reproduction of unicellular organisms; see multiple fission.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SPORULATION
- aporulation
- zporulation
- xporulation
- dporulation
- eporulation
- wporulation
- soorulation
- slorulation
- s-orulation
- s0orulation
- spirulation
- spkrulation
- splrulation
- spprulation
- sp0rulation
- sp9rulation
- spoeulation
- spodulation
- spofulation
Etymology of SPORULATION
The word "sporulation" is derived from the Latin word "sporus", meaning "a seed" or "a spore". The suffix "-ation" is added to form a noun from the verb "sporulate", which means "to produce spores". Therefore, "sporulation" refers to the process of forming or producing spores.
Similar spelling words for SPORULATION
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