Nutrient scavenging; oligotrophy;‘stationary-phase response’; generation of‘viable non-culturable’
forms
Extrusion ofprotons across the cell membrane; maintenance ofcytoplasmic pH; maintenance of
transmembrane pH gradient
Osmoregulation; accumulation of‘compatible solutes’; avoidance of waterloss; maintenance of
membraneturgor
‘Cold shock’ response; changes in membrane lipids to maintainsatisfactoryfluidity
‘Heat shock’response; membrane lipid changes
Enzymeprotection (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) from H2O2and oxygen-derived free
radicals
Phenotypicadaptation;reductionin cell wall/membrane permeability
Repair of single-strand breaks in DNA
Uncertain; possiblylow spore watercontent
Low electrical conductivityofthe spore protoplast
Formation of interacting communities;aggregatesof cells showing somedegreeofsymbiosis;
biofilms