Cyst

When an amoeba replicates or mutates, it turns into a cyst. The amount of time an amoeba remains a cyst and how much energy it costs depends on the amoeba and what it is turning into a cyst for. Typically, energy cost and time spent as a cyst rises as amoeba tiers rise. Cysts are easy pickings for other amoeba, so it best to use a spawning pool or find a place to hunker down if you're going to be mutating and/or replicating a lot.