What is the dormant form of a bacterial cell called?

The dormant form of a bacterial cell is called an endospore. Endospores are highly resistant to environmental stresses like heat, radiation, desiccation, and chemicals. They are produced by certain bacterial species (e.g., Bacillus and Clostridium) when environmental conditions are unfavorable, allowing the bacteria to survive until more favorable conditions return. The endospore can later germinate to form a new, metabolically active bacterial cell.