PSI Barbering Practice Exam

During which stage do certain bacteria become dormant?

1. Active stage

2. Infectious stage

3. Inactive stage

4. Metabolic stage

The correct answer is: Inactive stage

The correct answer focuses on the inactive stage, which is characterized by the ability of certain bacteria to resist unfavorable conditions. During this stage, bacteria can enter a dormant state, reducing their metabolic activity significantly. This dormancy allows them to survive when environmental conditions become harsh, such as extreme temperatures, lack of nutrients, or other stressors. The bacteria can later reactivate and return to the active stage once conditions are more favorable. Other stages like the active stage involve growth and reproduction, while the infectious stage focuses on when bacteria are capable of causing disease in a host. The metabolic stage is not a universally recognized term in the context of bacterial behavior, which primarily emphasizes growth and dormancy dynamics. Therefore, identifying the inactive stage as when bacteria become dormant accurately reflects their survival strategy under adverse conditions.