Bacterial spores

Bacterial spores are highly durable and dormant structures formed by certain bacteria to survive harsh environments like extreme heat, dryness, or chemicals. They act like a protective capsule, encasing the bacteria’s genetic material and vital components. When conditions become favorable again, spores can transform back into active bacteria, allowing growth and reproduction to resume. This resilience makes spores important in processes like sterilization and also explains how some bacteria can persist in the environment for long periods, resisting efforts to eliminate them.