spore

spore definition - medical

spore (spôr)

noun
  1. A small, usually single-celled asexual or sexual reproductive body that is highly resistant to desiccation and heat and is capable of growing into a new organism, produced especially by certain bacteria, fungi, algae, and nonflowering plants.
  2. A dormant, nonreproductive body formed by certain bacteria in response to adverse environmental conditions.

Related Forms:

  • spo·raˈceous (spə-rāˈshəs, spô-) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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