Desiccation is best described as?

• A. The process of cells swelling in freshwater
• B. The loss of water from an organism due to evaporation
• C. The uptake of water from the environment
• D. The accumulation of salts in tissues

Answer: (B)

Desiccation is water loss from an organism due to evaporation, drying the body tissues when exposed to air or dry conditions. Water leaves surfaces or body fluids as vapor, driven by differences in vapor pressure between the organism and the surrounding air. This is different from simply taking up water from the environment or accumulating salts in tissues, which are about hydration or osmotic balance rather than drying. In habitats like the intertidal zone, organisms can desiccate when exposed to air during low tides, so they must cope with evaporation through protective surfaces, behaviors, or staying in damp microhabitats to limit water loss.