Final answer:
The term anhydrobiosis refers to an organism's ability to survive while completely dried out by desiccation. It is seen in a variety of life forms, notably certain mosses and resurrection plants, which can revive with water reintroduction. Xerophytes, alternatively, are adapted to dry environments through mechanisms that manage water uptake, loss, and storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the ability of an organism to survive states of extreme dryness, typically by desiccation, is anhydrobiosis. This remarkable survival strategy is seen in various organisms, including some mosses, resurrection plants, and microscopic animals such as tardigrades.
Anhydrobiotic organisms can lose a significant amount of their body water, in some cases up to 90%, yet resume normal function when rehydrated. This process is crucial for survival in environments where water availability is highly variable.
In contrast, other plants, known as xerophytes, have evolved to exist in extremely arid environments by utilizing different mechanisms. These plants have adaptations that allow them to either increase water uptake, reduce water loss, or store water in fleshy stems that also carry out photosynthesis, as seen in many desert cacti.
Desiccation isn't limited to survival strategies in nature. It's also a technique used in food preservation, such as in sun drying and lyophilization, to control microbial growth. While drying or dehydration may not kill all microbes, it inhibits their growth and can preserve the food items for extended periods.