CBSPD Sterile Processing Technician Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A dehydrated cell with a thick, shell-like wall is referred to as a spore. Spores are reproductive cells produced by certain organisms, such as fungi and some bacteria. They are designed for survival under unfavorable environmental conditions, allowing the organism to withstand desiccation, extreme temperatures, and other stressors. The thick, protective wall of the spore helps maintain moisture and provides resistance to physical and chemical destruction, making it a highly resilient stage in the life cycle of the organism.

In contrast, fungi are a larger category of organisms that can include multiple forms, such as spores, but do not necessarily describe a single cell type. Cysts, while also protective structures created by some microorganisms, typically refer to a dormant stage that allows the organism to survive adverse conditions but are often formed by protozoa or algae rather than focusing solely on bacterial forms. Capsules are another form of protective layer that surrounds some bacteria but do not serve the same function as spores, which are specifically adapted for reproduction and survival in harsh conditions.