Biochemical changes occurring following the activation of dormat ascospores of sordaria humana

The rate of protein synthesis and respiration, utilization of reserved food materials was studied in activated cells of Sordaria humana. Subjecting the dormant ascospores to "heat shock" triggerred the activation process. Preheating ascospores at 40°C for 30 minutes accelerated the rate of oxygen uptake indicating their activation. The synthesis of protein started after about half an hour and maximum amount was sythesized during the logarithmic phase growth [about 2 hours from activation]. Endogenous carbohydrate was mainly utilized during germination of ascospores, lipid was also utilized during germination but at a slower rate