How can bacteria survive extreme (bad) conditions?

Answer 1

Bacteria (Life without water)
If the surroundings are too dry, some bacteria can encase themselves in a spore. The spore protects the bacterium’s genetic material from drought, cold, and even radiation! While in that condition, the organism “shuts down” but can “turn itself on again” when the conditions are better. If you were to observe one of these capsules, you would probably characterize it as nonliving. Some bacterial spores have been discovered in rock and are estimated to be 250 million years old. This offers interesting evidence that some forms of life can survive without water for very long periods, up to millions of years in some cases!

Answer 2

Bacteria form endospores and wait out the extreme conditions inside a tough covering.