Answer:
A dormant structure formed by bacteria in response to nutrient depletion is called an endospore.
Step-by-step explanation:
An endospore is a dormant, tough, and non-reproductive structure produced by some bacteria in the phylum Bacillota. It is a stripped-down, dormant form to which the bacterium can reduce itself when the environment becomes unfavorable. Endospores can survive harsh conditions such as high temperature, radiation, and chemical disinfectants. They can also reactivate themselves to the vegetative state when the environment becomes more favorable. Endospore formation usually occurs in gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus and Clostridium