Final answer:
Cell division does not occur during the inactive or stationary phase of bacterial growth. Other processes like metabolism and protein synthesis continue but at a reduced rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the inactive stage, also known as the stationary phase of bacterial growth, there is a noticeable slowdown in cellular processes. The condition that does not occur during this phase is cell division. In the stationary phase, growth ceases due to the depletion of nutrients, accumulation of waste products, or critical population density reached, leading to an equilibrium between cell death and cell division.
Therefore, options like metabolism, DNA replication, and protein synthesis might occur at reduced rates but still take place. The stationary phase contrasts with the log phase, where bacteria are actively dividing and using available resources for growth.
Key cellular activities like metabolism and protein synthesis are downregulated but not completely halted during the stationary phase, allowing for the maintenance and repair of cellular components. This phase must be differentiated from active growth periods where cell division is prevalent.