Question

What triggers sporulation?

Answer 1

Essentially, sporulation refers to the formation of spores from vegetative cells under adverse environmental conditions. As such, it may be described as an adaptive response that allows the organism to survive under adverse conditions (radiation, extreme heat or cold, lack of nutrition, etc).

Complete answer:
Compared to vegetative cells, spores (formed during sporulation) are multilayer structures that tend to be dormant (or relatively dormant). These characteristics make it possible for some spores to maintain the genetic content of the organism under harsh environmental conditions.

Some of the vegetative cells under certain unfavorable conditions (depending on the organism) undergo a series of morphological changes (and some degree of programmed gene expression) that ultimately produce spores. Apart from the genetic material, the spores also contain certain cytoplasms, specific acids, ribosomes, and appropriate enzymes, among others, which allow the spores to germinate under favorable environmental conditions.

Endospore formation is usually caused by a lack of nutrients and usually occurs in gram-positive bacteria. In endospore formation, the bacterium divides within its cell wall and then engulfs the other side. Endospores allow bacteria to lie dormant for long periods, even centuries.

Some bacteria, such as Bacillus and Clostridium, are capable of forming spores. These spores also referred to as endospores, are dormant forms of vegetative bacteria and are highly resistant to physical and chemical influences. Diwsinfection measures for inactivating spores require a special spectrum of activity that covers both the vegetative form of the bacterium and the spores.

Thus, Endospore triggers sporulation.

Note: A process called sterilization is destroying spores and bacteria. It is done at high temperatures and under high pressure. In health care settings, tools are usually sterilized using a device called an autoclave.