Explain the life cycles of a bacterial endospore.

The life cycle of a bacterial endospore consists of two main stages: 1. Vegetative cell: The normal, metabolically active form of the bacterium. When environmental conditions are unfavorable (e.g., lack of nutrients or extreme temperatures), the vegetative cell undergoes sporulation. 2. Sporulation: The process of endospore formation, where the bacterial cell forms a tough, dormant endospore inside its cell wall. Endospores are highly resistant to heat, radiation, and chemicals. When conditions improve, the endospore undergoes germination, returning to the vegetative state.