Final answer:
The term 'vegetative' in reference to bacteria denotes them in their active, growing state; they are metabolically active, growing, and not in the dormant endospore form. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term vegetative as it applies to bacteria denotes bacteria in their active, growing state. A vegetative bacterial cell is one that is metabolically active, carrying out normal cellular functions such as growth and cell division, and does not contain an endospore. This distinguishes vegetative cells from those in the endospore form, which are in a dormant and highly resistant state due to harsh environmental conditions. Bacteria in the vegetative state are usually in the process of using nutrients to grow and reproduce, and exhibit characteristics unlike those in the spore-forming stage.