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Spore Germination

Spore Germination is the process by which a dormant spore develops into  an activity metabolising vegetative cell and this involves the process of activation triggering of germination, initiation of germination and fianlly, outgrowth. The process of activation involves the breaking of the dormant stage partially but is reversible.

little is known about the mechanism  of activation but it is believed that during this process, rearrangement not structural components occurs preparing the spore to proceed  into the germination process. A variety of chemical and physical agents are known to cause activation of bacteria spores.

This triggering of germination is operationally the same as the commitment during sporulation and represents a stage of no return. Once committed the spores will go through this process and initiate germination. This process is rapid in some bacterial species (few minutes)

A variety of chemicals, both nutrient and non nutrient types are known to initiate the triggering process. One of the best triggering agents known is L-alanine although the exact mechanism by which it triggers germination is not yet clearly known.

The process of triggering and initiation of germination is not accompanied by significant.  macromolecular synthesis. It is the consequence of degradative reactions that occur as a result of the trigger action, and involves Protein degradation, peptidoglycan hydrolysis Ca-DPA loss and lipid there is a sequential loss heat resistance, DPA  and refractility.