Index >> Microorganisms Differentiation >> Fungal Spore Germination

These processes occur in sequence and give rise to the vegetative mycelia. As in bacteria, activation of spores allows them to germinate better and both heat and chemicals at moderate levels can activate fungal spores

Among fungal spores, some have a need for activation before germination can be initiated. Various physical agents such as light and temperature, and chemical agents such as organic solvents and heterocyclic compounds can cause activation of fungal spores.

During germination of fungal spores, protein synthesis has been found to occur prior to RNA synthesis. Addition of inhibitors of RNA synthesis during this early period of germination prevents incorporation of uridine into RNA but bas no effect on germination.

For germination to proceed  early protein synthesis is required and this can occur in the absence of new RNA synthesis. Once protein synthesis is initiated, the rate of synthesis does not appear to be constant during the rest of the period of germination but increases rapidly with the commencement of vegetative growth.

The rate of RNA synthesis, like protein synthesis, during the process of germination is also not constant. The rate of RNA synthesis during the early period of germination is very slow but this increases during the later phase of germination. Studies on macromolecular synthesis during germination of fungal spores, although limited, indicate that net synthesis of macromolecular components commences early during this differentiation proces