A tough, dormant spore formed inside a bacterial cell that can survive extreme temperatures, chemicals, and harsh conditions until it germinates.
From endo- (within) + spore (a reproductive cell), from Greek spora (seed). First identified in bacteria like Bacillus and Clostridium in the late 1800s as scientists improved microscopes.
Endospores are nature's ultimate survival capsules—some can survive boiling water, radiation, and even the vacuum of space for decades! This is why sterilizing medical equipment requires extreme heat or chemicals.
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