Endospore-Forming Bacteria Like Bacillus Species Begin the Sporulation Process with an Asymmetric

question 45

Multiple Choice

Endospore-forming bacteria like Bacillus species begin the sporulation process with an asymmetric cell division to produce two cells with different fates. One will differentiate into the endospore, and the other is the sporangium that will ultimately lyse to release the mature endospore. During this asymmetric cell division, one of the compartments does not receive an intact copy of the chromosome. Which compartment can function with only part of the genome and why?

• A) The endospore; the endospore is built from the outside via the sporangium and not from the inside.
• B) The sporangium; it supports endospore development and then lyses.
• C) The sporangium; much of the genome is "junk DNA" and not required for endospore maturation.
• D) The endospore; it is a dormant stage and requires very little to maintain its dormancy.

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Definitions:

Conditioned Stimulus

A once-neutral cue that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually induces a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any need for learning.

Unconditioned Response

An automatic, natural reaction to a stimulus that occurs without previous conditioning.

Conditioned Response

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become conditioned through association with an unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning.