A process which, among some of the lower forms of life, precedes reproduction by budding, fission, spore formation, etc.
A process by which many internal parasites, esp. in their larval states, become inclosed within a cyst in the muscles, liver, etc. See Trichina.
Formation of a resistant external wall by protozoa to enable them to survive drying and adverse environmental conditions; encysted forms are infective to humans.
Formation of a thick wall, e.g. around a zoo- spore after it settles and loses its flagellum.
To form or become enclosed in a cyst (resting spore). There are several types of encystment. Stressed cells can 'round up' and settle out of the water column and yet be viable if the stress conditions are removed. Others involve temporary cysts for asexual reproduction, flotation, and other functional aspects of individual survival. Yet another type of encystment involves sexual reproduction and the production of thick-walled hypnozygotes which can remain encysted for months, even years (Steidinger & Tangen 1996).
process of cyst formation
Formation of a thick wall, e.g. around a zoospore after it settles and loses its flagellum(a)