Endospores: \"Evolution Has Gifted Some

Endospores:

"Evolution has gifted some bacterial species the ability to die today but live again someday. This ability is what we term reincarnation in human society" (Sace and Nicole, par 1). Bacterial species are also reincarnated. Food poisoning, gangrene and gram-positive bacterial species such as Clostridium sp create a structure called endospore. This happens after they sense an unpredictable future usually indicated by the threats of physical and chemical factors and the reduction of various environmental nutrients. The formed endospore is the resting cell while the living and active bacterium is the vegetative cell. This vegetative cell forms the resting cell prior to its death.

The endospore contains a copy of the bacterial DNA, some nutrients and few organelles. These materials are protected by solid and long-lasting walls, which could withstand reactive chemicals, intense pressure and temperature. Being the agents on how anthrax is spread and how bacteria endure normal cooking process causing food poisoning, bacterial endospores are medically important. These bacterial endospores can remain inactive for thousands of years. In Elk Lake, Minnesota, endospores of thermoactinomycces vulgaris were fruitfully revived after being put in a nutrient medium. Bacterial endospores found in the stomach of a sting less 25-40 million years old bee were successfully germinated by some researchers.

A DNA copy is created and placed in a corner of its cytoplasm when the bacterium senses depleting essential nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen. The DNA cytoplasm is slowly enveloped and isolated from the plasma membrane called septum. This septum is usually double-layered with each layer deposited with peptidoglycan just like the authentication of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell wall. An additional protein protective coating is given after the peptidoglycan layer is formed. This protein protective coating known as the spore coat provides the bacteria with greater strength and durability.

Depending on the bacterial species, the bacterial endospore diameter can either be smaller, the same or even larger than the innovative vegetative cell. The endospore can either be located at one end (terminally), near one end (sub terminally) or inside (centrally) the vegetative cell. In order to hold back metabolism, the bacterial endospore almost lacks water completely. The germination process and new vegetative cells are later created by the presence of water or moisture. The endospore houses DNA, ribosome, enzymes, little RNA and necessary small molecules. It also houses colonic acid in the cytoplasm and large amount of calcium ions. These materials are utilized by the bacterium while germinating at good conditions.