What is "cryptobiosis"

n. (context biology English) A state of life, entered by some organisms, in which all metabolic activity is temporarily halted

n. a state in which an animal's metabolic activities come to a reversible standstill

Cryptobiosis is an ametabolic state of life entered by an organism in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. When environmental conditions return to being hospitable, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was prior to the cryptobiosis.

Cryptobiosis is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was initially made available as an exclusive bonus to Big Finish series subscribers and was not sold commercially, although it is now available to non-subscribers.