Definition of Term

cyst

(English) The nonmobile, dehydrated, resistant, inactive, dormant stage in the life cycle of many organisms that is generally considered to serve an important role in either protection or dispersal of a species; the organism is typically rounded up, surrounded by one or more layers of secreted cystic membranes (extocyst, mesocyst, endocyst, etc.) or envelopes or walls; in some cases, the walls ay be quite thick, sculptured on the outside and with or without an emergent pore.

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