The outermost protective wall or layer of a spore, or a spore that is released externally from a structure.
From Greek 'exo-' (outside) + 'sporos' (seed). Used in mycology and botany since the mid-1800s to distinguish external spore production from internal sporulation.
Bacteria have their own version of exospores—some species produce tough outer spores as a survival strategy, which is why certain bacterial spores can survive space radiation, boiling water, and even bleach!
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