Explain what type of bacteria produce endospores and what the nature and function of endospores are.
Rod-shaped bacteria produce endospores, special resting cells that enable the organism to withstand extreme conditions of heat, cold, and drought. Endospores, which develop within vegetative bacterial cells, contain DNA and a small amount of other essential materials; they are surrounded by an impenetrable spore coat. Once formed, the vegetative bacterial cell around an endospore may disintegrate; when revived by favorable conditions, the endospore will give rise to a normal bacterial cell.
