Calorimetric aspects of the heat activation of spores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus

When Phycomyces spores are heated in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) an exothermic process situated in the activation temperature range is detected. This process does not depend on oxygen and is absent in scans of activated spores. After activation the protein denaturation profile is also changed but this effect seems to depend on oxygen. Acetate activates spores in about 10 min, however longer treatment with this chemical is needed to affect the exothermic peak. The effects of some other chemicals that influence the activation mechanism, like D₂O and FeCl₂, are also reported.