Under unfavorable environmental conditions, bacteria typically reproduce by producing:
While bacteria reproduce primarily by simple asexual fission (cell division) under ideal conditions, they adopt a different strategy when faced with environmental stress. The NCERT textbook notes that under unfavorable environmental conditions, bacteria protect themselves by producing highly resistant structures called spores (specifically endospores). These spores can withstand extreme heat, desiccation, and chemical damage, germinating only when favorable conditions return.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology > Chapter 2: Biological Classification > 2.1 Kingdom Monera