Bacteria in a dormant, resistant form enabling survival under harsh conditions are called what?

• A. Cyst
• B. Vegetative
• C. Spore
• D. Germ

Answer: (C)

Bacteria survive harsh conditions by forming a dormant, highly resistant structure. This state shields the cell’s vital components from heat, dryness, chemicals, and radiation, allowing the organism to endure until the environment becomes favorable again. When conditions improve, the dormant form can germinate and return to an active, growing state. The term for this dormant, resistant form in bacteria is spore (often specifically an endospore in many species). A cyst is a protective form seen in some protozoa, not typical for bacteria; vegetative describes the actively growing form, and germ refers to the process of becoming active from a spore rather than the dormant state itself.