What is vegetative state of bacteria?

Answer 1

Vegatative bacteria are those bacteria or microogranisms that can grow and reproduce in rich, moist soil where many nutrients are available. The actively growing bacteria in these conditions are referred to as "vegatative cells". Many types of bacteria and fungi can flourish under these conditions. Some examples of bacteria and fungi that can actively reproduce in this kind of soil are Bacillus, Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium and Clostridium. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause the disease tuberculosis, and Colstridium botulinum can cause botulism poisoning. When soil nutrients or moisture are depleted, bacteria from the genus of Bacillus and Clostridium produce an endospore inside each vegatative cell. Once the vegatative cell (active bacteria) no longer has enough nutrients or moisture to survive, it releases the endospore. The endospore can remain viable for very long periods. When the right conditions return for growth, the endospore creates another vegatative cell, and the bacteria becomes active again. Some fungi produce spores in a similar fashion. I am a Registered Medical Technologist, and have spent several years as a clinical microbiologist.

Answer 2

Vegetative state means the micro organism is dormant at the time.

A dormant cell does not reproduce, so the ammount of micro organisms does not increase.

However, a dormant cell is more reluctant to outside influences.

For example, heat treatment becomes less effective and so do most Antibiotics.

Bacteria who are in a dormant state can be Endospores or Cysts.

Conidia are a form of vegetative state of fungi.

Now I think you are asking about the endospores, since this is the most common.

A very well known pathogen which creates spores is Clostridium. The subspecies Clostridium botulinum causes Botulism.

An endospore is basically the genetic information of the micro organism in a thick shell.

When the conditions around the spore change for the better, it is capable becoming an active micro organism again. However only do this when situations are good enough. It has to be moist and there have to be nutrients in the nabourhood. Otherwise it will stay dormant.

Hope I have helped you a bit.