Spore Germination and Emergence of Bacillus megaterium

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Abstract
Bacillus megaterium spores have a characteristic polar knob and equatorial ridge, or groove. During germination, the spore case appears to split along this ridge, and thus allows the new cell to emerge. Mechanically ground spores also split along this ridge, one part of the spore case being hinged to the other, the ridge being evident along a free edge. The equatorial ridge appears to be an area of susceptibility to mechanical pressures and, perhaps, in normal germination, to enzymic action as well.