Difference between Vegetative cell and Endospore
Characteristics |
Vegetative cell |
Endospore |
| Structure | mostly Gram +ve rod, few are Gram -ve | Thick spore cortex, spore coat and exosporium |
| Phage of growth |
Metabolically active, growing phase |
Inactive or dormant phase |
| Under Microscopic examination |
Non-refractile | Refractile |
| Calcium content (concentration) |
Low | High |
| Dipicolonic acid | Absent | Present in high concentration |
| Enzymatic activity | High | Low |
| Metabolism rate |
High | Low/ Absent |
| Oxygen uptake | High | low |
|
Macro-molecule synthesis |
Present | Absent |
| mRNA | Present | Absent |
| Water content | High (80-90%) | Low (10-25%) |
| Stain by dye | Stainable | Difficult to stain; stained only with specific stain |
| Action of lysososme | Sensitive | Resistant |
| SASP (small acid soluble protein) |
Absent | Present |
| Cytoplasmic pH | Neutral (7.0) | Acidic ( 5.5 – 6) |
| Heat resistance | Low | High |
| Resistant to chemical and acids |
Low | High |
Difference between Vegetative cell and Endospore