Question

Bacteria, fungi and lower plants survive in adverse conditions by:
A. Diapause
B. Suspended growth
C. Migration
D. Formation of thick walled spores

Answer 1

These structures are specialised to withstand extreme boiling and freezing temperatures as well as the ultraviolet radiations. Within such structures the organism can survive multiple years of hardship and germinate when the conditions are favourable.

Step by step answer: Endospores are thick walled structures formed in bacteria in order to survive unfavourable conditions such as extreme boiling and freezing temperatures and ultraviolet radiations. The sequence of arrangement of spore layers in an endosperm is exosporium, spore coat, spore cortex and core wall. In fungi, such as Candida, large thick walled poses of several kinds and dimensions are produced which are known as chlamydospores. These spores are produced as a result of Asexual as well as sexual reproduction.
The filamentous, heterocyst forming cyanobacteria develop akinete, which is an ethic world nonmotile dormant spore in order to survive unfavourable conditions.
Akinetes are, however, not resistant to heat.
Thus, the correct answers option D i.e. formation of thick walled Spores.

Additional Information: Chlamydospores such as conidia are produced as a result of asexual reproduction. Conidia are also termed as chlamydoconidia.

Note: Sporulation is the process of formation of a single endosperm inside a bacteria during food scarcity, especially the lack of carbon and nitrogen sources.