Question

Two genera of bacteria, Bacillus and Clostridium, are capable of surviving in environments low in essential nutrients and humidity due to the production of environmentally resistant structures (capable of resisting the effects of disinfectants, drying, etc.) called:_________.

Answer 1

Endospore

Step-by-step explanation:

There are two genera of bacteria, bacillus and clostridium which are able to produce a resistant structure outside their cell wall in the environment where essential nutrients are low and environmental resistance are high. This resistant structure is called a endospore.

The endospore protects the bacteria from the harsh environment and protect the genetic material of bacteria. Endospore allow the bacteria to remain in dormant stage for many years and protect them from disinfectant and drying. Therefore the correct answer is endospore.

Answer 2

Endospores

Step-by-step explanation:

Endospores are the resistant and dormant structures formed mainly by some gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus and Clostridium. These structures are formed within vegetative bacterial cells. Endospores are highly resistant to abiotic stress conditions such as heat, radiations, disinfectants, nutrients deprivation and desiccation. Endospore has thin exosporium and thick spore coat that surround the cortex. Cortex has peptidoglycan and covers the spore cell wall inside which the spore core having the genome of bacteria along with organelles such as ribosomes is present.