Which of the following is true about spores?

Spores are a form of bacteria that can be highly resilient, allowing them to endure extreme conditions that would typically kill regular bacterial cells. This includes the ability to survive cooking temperatures, which is particularly important in food safety and handling. When exposed to high heat, many bacteria are destroyed; however, spores can withstand such environments and require specific conditions, such as moisture and the right temperature, to reactivate and begin to grow again.

The nature of spores also indicates that they do not thrive in high humidity, as they are designed to survive in dry conditions until they find suitable environments to germinate. Additionally, spores do not require nutrients to remain in their dormant state, as they remain inactive until conditions improve. Lastly, while cleaning agents are effective against many microorganisms, spores are generally resistant to most, making them much harder to eliminate through standard cleaning practices. Understanding these characteristics of spores is crucial for ensuring food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses.