Index >> Bacterial Structure >> Endospore Formation Stage 6 - Maturation

Endospore Formation Stage 6 - Maturation - The maturing spore begins to become refractile. Water is withdrawn during spore maturation, and the mature spore is considerably dehydrated.

The cortex plays an important role in dehydration. According to the contractile cortex theory the wastes are expelled by contraction of the loose peptidoglycan brought about by ionic cross-linking with calcium ions.

An alternate suggestion is that the cortex expands within the fixed volume of the coat because of loss of ionic cross links.