Answer:
1. Resistance to harsh conditions: Endospores are highly resistant to heat, radiation, chemicals, and desiccation. They can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, making them capable of surviving in environments that vegetative cells cannot tolerate.
2. Dormancy: Endospores are in a dormant state, meaning they are metabolically inactive. They have a low water content and lack essential cellular activities, such as growth and reproduction. This dormancy allows endospores to remain viable for long periods, waiting for favorable conditions to germinate.
3. Thick and protective coat: Endospores possess a tough and protective coat made of specialized proteins and other substances. This coat acts as a physical barrier, shielding the spore's genetic material from damage and preventing the entry of harmful agents.
4. Lack of metabolic activity: Unlike vegetative cells, endospores do not carry out normal metabolic functions. They do not produce energy or carry out biosynthesis. Instead, their main purpose is to ensure survival and eventual germination when conditions become favorable.
5. Genetic stability: Endospores have the ability to maintain the stability of their genetic material for extended periods. They achieve this through DNA repair mechanisms and the formation of unique structures, such as small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs), which help protect the DNA from damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
These characteristics make endospores highly resilient and enable them to withstand unfavorable conditions until they encounter an environment suitable for germination and growth. * i have also explained a bit on my awnser*