Bacteria's Secret to Immortality

Bacteria have a secret superpower that makes them practically immortal. When conditions

get extreme—like boiling heat, freezing cold, or no food—some bacteria don't just

die. They transform. They shed their water, slow their metabolism

to almost zero, and build an ultra-tough shield around their DNA, becoming a structure

called an endospore. This isn't reproduction; it's a survival pod. They can stay dormant

like this for years, even centuries, waiting. Once conditions are favorable again,

they rehydrate and spring back to life, ready to multiply. They're not just simple germs; they

are ancient survival masters playing the long game.