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Endospore and Exospore spores are the two types of spores based on their position. The two types of reproductive structures or spores are endospore and exospore. They are designed as stationary or resting systems. Bacteria are typically responsible for the production of endospores, the most common type of spore. Cyanobacteria, algae, and fungi produce external spores, also known as Exospores, in their eukaryotic cells. Endospore and Exospore join forces to form a new organism. As a result, they can be classified as germ cells. Because the metabolic rates of endospores and exospores are both very low, they remain non-nutritive. Internal and external spores are both unicellular and extremely resistant structures. Endospore and Exospore allow bacteria to survive in harsh environments such as extreme heat, disinfectants, and even UV radiation. Let’s look at the main distinctions between endospore and exospore.
What is Endospore?
Endospores are resistant structures produced by bacteria to allow them to survive in unfavourable environmental conditions. Endospores are made up of DNA and a small amount of cytoplasm that is surrounded by a protective outer covering. When the environmental conditions are favourable, endospores germinate and produce new organisms. Endospores are thus classified as a type of reproductive cell.
Endospores are produced by the bacterial genera Bacillus, Clostridium, and Paenibacillus. These endospores are resistant to dehydration, high and low temperatures, chemicals, and UV radiation. An endospore’s cell wall is made of dipicolinic acid, which gives the endospore heat resistance. Bacterial endospores may be destroyed by moist heat at 121 °C for 15 minutes.
What is Exospore?
Exospore is another type of resistant bacteria that is produced primarily by fungi and algae in order to reproduce under unfavourable conditions. Exospores form by cell division from the mother cell’s end. The exospore is separated by the formation of a septum between the mother and daughter cells. The exospore emerges as a bud.
The bud is released from the mother cell for germination under favourable conditions. Conidiophores are fungal spores that are formed as exospores.
Exospores are produced by algae such as: Chamaesiphon and Stichosiphon. Exospores are produced by bacteria such as Actinomyces, Streptomyces, and Actinobacteria. Exospores are produced by cyanobacteria such as Chamaesiphon.
Difference between Endospore and Exospore
S.NO | Endospore | Exospore |
1 | Endospores are bacteria-born structures that can withstand harsh environmental conditions. | Exospores are another resistant structure produced by algae and fundi, and they are primarily used for asexual reproduction in unfavourable conditions. |
2 | Endospore is released when the mother cell ruptures. | Exospore is produced during the budding process. |
3 | Cell division is not required for endospore formation. | Exospores, on the other hand, are produced by cell division. |
4 | Bacteria are responsible for the production of endospore. | Algae and fungi produce exospore. |
5 | Endospores develop within the vegetative parent cell or mother cell. | Exospore cells, on the other hand, form near the end of a mother cell or on the cell’s surface. |
6 | Endospore examples include Bacillus, Paenibacllius, Clostridium, and others. | Exospores include Streptomyces, Stichosiphon, Actinomyces, and others. |
What exactly is endosporic development?
Endosporic development is a process that evolved before seed-bearing plant processes and is still used by various classes of organisms, including the majority of ferns. Homosporous endosporic development is the precursor to modern seed-bearing plants which show heterosporous endosporic development.
What exactly is an Exosporic gametophyte?
They have exosporic gametophytes, which are free-living and develop outside of the spore wall. They are the Exosporic gametophytes can be bisexual, producing both sperm and eggs in the same thallus (monoicous), or specialised into male and female organisms (dioicous).
Similarities between Endospore and Exospore
- Bacteria, fungi, and algae produce two types of spores: endospores and exospores.
- The process of making spores is known as sporulation.
- Endospores and exospores are typically produced in unfavourable environmental conditions.
- Endospores and exospores can both be considered reproductive cells.
- Endospores and exospores are both unicellular.
- Endospores and exospores are both extremely resistant structures.
- Endospores and exospores can both survive without nutrients because their metabolic rates are so low.
Conclusion
Endospore and Exospore spores are the two types of spores based on their position. The two types of reproductive structures or spores are endospore and exospore. Because the metabolic rates of endospores and exospores are both very low, they remain non-nutritive. Endospores are produced by the bacterial genera Bacillus, Clostridium, and Paenibacillus. Exospore is another type of resistant bacteria that is produced primarily by fungi and algae in order to reproduce under unfavourable conditions. The exospore is separated by the formation of a septum between the mother and daughter cells. Exospores are produced by algae such as: Chamaesiphon and Stichosiphon. Exospores are produced by bacteria such as Actinomyces, Streptomyces, and Actinobacteria.
