spore
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spore
A resistant reproductive or dormant form in fungi, bacteria, or plants that serves for spreading and survival under unfavorable conditions.
Schimmelpilze verbreiten sich durch winzige Sporen in der Luft.
Molds spread through tiny spores in the air.
'Spore' (spore) is a term from biology. It is mainly used in scientific or factual contexts when talking about fungi, ferns, mosses, or bacteria.
Im Biologieunterricht lernten wir, wie Farne sich durch Sporen vermehren.
In biology class, we learned how ferns reproduce through spores.
Since spores are usually invisible and occur in huge numbers, the word is almost always used in the plural ('die Sporen' — the spores).
Nach dem Wasserschaden war die Belastung durch Schimmelpilz-Sporen in der Wohnung sehr hoch.
After the water damage, the level of mold spores in the apartment was very high.
Spores are reproductive cells, so they are often combined with verbs of movement and formation. Typical phrases are 'Sporen verbreiten (sich)' (to spread spores / spores spread) and 'Sporen bilden' (to form spores).
Bestimmte Pilze können bei Trockenheit Sporen bilden, die Jahrzehnte überleben.
Certain fungi can form spores during dry periods that survive for decades.
germ / sprout
'Keim' and 'Spore' both belong to the field of biology and can refer to very small life forms or early forms of life. 'Keim' is broader: in everyday language, it often means pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. In the plant world, a 'Keim' can also be the first young shoot from a seed. 'Spore' is more precise and more technical: it is a special reproductive or survival form in fungi, bacteria, or plants. The words can be confused because both are small and have to do with growth or disease. For hygiene and diseases, people usually say 'Keim'; for fungi and spreading, 'Spore' is more precise.
Eine Spore kann lange überleben, bis die Bedingungen für Wachstum besser werden.
A spore can survive for a long time until conditions for growth improve.
Auf ungewaschenen Händen können viele Keime sein.
There can be many germs on unwashed hands.