What is the role of spores in bacteria?

Spores play a crucial role in the survival of bacteria, especially in adverse environmental conditions. When faced with extreme situations such as heat, drought, radiation, or nutrient scarcity, certain bacteria can form spores, which are highly resistant structures. These spores encase the bacterial genetic material and essential cellular components in a protective coating, enabling the bacteria to endure environments that would normally be lethal.

This ability to form spores allows bacteria to remain dormant for extended periods until conditions become favorable for growth again. Thus, the formation of spores is a survival mechanism that significantly contributes to the persistence and resilience of bacterial populations in nature.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary role of spores. While bacteria reproduce by binary fission, spores are not directly involved in rapid reproduction. Additionally, spores do not inherently facilitate bacterial growth in acidic environments nor do they increase susceptibility to antibiotics; in fact, spores can often be more resistant to such treatments due to their protective nature.