desiccation

(noun)

the state or process of drying-out

Related Terms

Examples of desiccation in the following topics:

  • Plant Adaptations to Life on Land

    • Desiccation, or drying out, is a constant danger for organisms exposed to air.
    • Even when parts of a plant are close to a source of water, the aerial structures are prone to desiccation.
    • As such, both gametes and zygotes must be protected from desiccation.
    • One of these strategies is called desiccation tolerance.
    • The vulnerable embryo must be sheltered from desiccation and other environmental hazards.

  • The Evolution of Seed Plants and Adaptations for Land

    • Several layers of hardened tissue prevent desiccation, freeing reproduction from the need for a constant supply of water.
    • Furthermore, seeds remain in a state of dormancy induced by desiccation and the hormone abscisic acid until conditions for growth become favorable.
    • The whole structure is protected from desiccation and can reach the female organs without dependence on water.

  • Bryophytes

    • They constitute the major flora of inhospitable environments like the tundra where their small size and tolerance to desiccation offer distinct advantages.

  • Zygomycota: The Conjugated Fungi

    • The developing diploid zygospores have thick coats that protect them from desiccation and other hazards.

  • Physical and Chemical Barriers

    • Pathogens are killed or inactivated on the skin by desiccation (drying out) and by the skin's acidity.

  • Mutualistic Relationships with Fungi and Fungivores

    • Lichens can survive extended periods of drought: they become completely desiccated and then rapidly become active once water is available again.

  • Structural Adaptations for Land in Seedless Plants

    • In land plants, a waxy, waterproof cover called a cuticle protects the leaves and stems from desiccation.

  • The Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants

    • Since bryophytes have neither a root system for absorption of water and nutrients, nor a cuticle layer that protects them from desiccation, pollutants in rainwater readily penetrate their tissues; they absorb moisture and nutrients through their entire exposed surfaces.

  • Physiological Processes in Sponges

    • Since gemmules can withstand harsh environments, are resistant to desiccation, and remain dormant for long periods, they are an excellent means of colonization for a sessile organism.

  • Marine Biomes

    • The exoskeletons of shoreline crustaceans are tough, protecting them from desiccation and wave damage.