Which state refers to bacteria that are actively multiplying?

The term that refers to bacteria that are actively multiplying is "vegetative." In microbial terminology, vegetative bacteria are in their active form, growing, reproducing, and metabolizing. This is in contrast to other states like spore-forming, which describes a survival strategy where bacteria become dormant and form spores to withstand unfavorable conditions.

Inactive and dormant states signify a lack of metabolic activity and growth. Dormant bacteria can survive in extreme environments for long periods but do not actively divide or reproduce during this time. Thus, identifying the active state of bacteria as "vegetative" emphasizes their growth and reproductive capabilities, highlighting their readiness to respond to environmental changes and nutrients.