What are Spores?
A spore is a unit of asexual reproduction adapted to spending a long period of time in unfavorable conditions before developing into an offspring of the plant, algae, fungi, or protozoan that created it. They are somewhat like seeds, but spores contain much less nutrients than seeds, and are used by groups besides plants. Spores are used most frequently by r-selected species, that is, species whose evolutionary strategy is quick reproduction and high reproductive rate rather than quality of each individual. Such species do best when environments are unstable and rapidly changing, though they also exist in stable environments. Spores first evolved at least 1,600 million years ago, as spores are used by some red algae. Spores can be contrasted with gametes — whereas gametes (like human eggs and sperm) need to combine with another gamete to create an individual, spores need to combine with nothing, and can independently grow into an adult organism as long as conditions are suitable. Spor
Reported by NCI Press Office Staff October 1, 2002 In 1992, the NCI established the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) to promote interdisciplinary research and to speed the exchange between basic and clinical science to move basic research findings from the laboratory to applied settings involving patients and populations. The goal of the SPORE program is to bring to clinical care settings novel ideas that have the potential to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, improve survival, and to improve the quality of life. Laboratory and clinical scientists work collaboratively to plan, design and implement research programs that impact on cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and control. To facilitate this research, each SPORE develops and maintains specialized resources that benefit all scientists working on the specific cancer site, as well as SPORE scientists. SPOREs meet annually to share data, assess research progress, identify new research opportuni
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersion and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, fungi and some protozoans. Spores are usually haploid and unicellular and are produced by meiosis in the sporophyte. Once conditions are favorable, the spore can develop into a new organism using mitotic division, producing a multicellular gametophyte, which will eventually go on to produce gametes. The term spore may also refer to the dormant stage of some bacteria or archaea; however these are more correctly known as endospores. For Further Details Log on to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore http://geology.er.usgs.gov/paleo/sporepo… http://www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/m
