What is the term used for bacteria that enter a dormant state but can still be harmful?

The term "spore" refers to a specific life stage that certain bacteria can enter when they encounter unfavorable conditions, such as extreme temperatures or lack of nutrients. In this dormant state, the bacteria are highly resistant to environmental stresses, allowing them to survive until conditions improve. Despite being inactive, spores can still pose a significant health risk because when they eventually germinate, they can revert to their active, harmful form, leading to foodborne illness.

This characteristic of spores is critical in food safety, as they can survive cooking processes that kill active bacteria, making their management essential in preventing foodborne disease outbreaks. Other terms provided in the options relate to different concepts: "cell" refers to the basic unit of life, "pathogen" is a general term for any disease-causing organism, and "contaminant" broadly describes any substance that makes food unsafe but does not specifically refer to the dormant or resistant state of bacteria.