Resting spore
Encyclopedia
A resting spore is a spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...

 created by fungi which is thickly encysted (has a thick cell wall
Cell wall
The cell wall is the tough, usually flexible but sometimes fairly rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells. It is located outside the cell membrane and provides these cells with structural support and protection, and also acts as a filtering mechanism. A major function of the cell wall is to...

) in order to survive through stressful times, such as drought. It protects the spore from biotic
Biotic component
Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem. A biotic factor is any living component that affects another organism, including animals that consume the organism in question, and the living food that the organism consumes. Each biotic factor needs energy to do work and food for...

 (microbial, fungal viral
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...

), as well as abiotic (wind, heat, xeric conditions) factors.

Characteristics

Resting spores create the phenomenon known as late potato blight. This is due to its ability to lie dormant
Dormant
Dormant means lacking activity. It can refer to:*Dormancy in an organism's life cycle*Dormant volcano, a volcano that is inactive but may become active in the future...

 within the soil of a field for decades until the right conditions occur for viability
Viability
Viable or viability is the ability of a thing to maintain itself or recover its potentialities.Viable or viability may also refer to:...

(plant host present, rain, fire etc.).
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