Final answer:
Endodermal cells are crucial for a plant's survival in drought conditions by controlling water and mineral intake, thus conserving water and maintaining turgor pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The regulation of water movement by endodermal cells would help ensure a plant's survival in environmental conditions where water is scarce, such as during a drought. Endodermal cells regulate the flow of water into the plant's vascular system through selective permeability. This regulation is critical as it ensures that water and minerals necessary for the plant's survival can enter the vascular system while potentially harmful substances in the soil are filtered out. Under drought conditions, the soil becomes hypertonic, drawing water from the plant. The closing of stomata and shedding of leaves are other mechanisms to limit water loss. However, the regulation of water and mineral uptake at the endodermal barrier is a key aspect of the plant's ability to conserve water and maintain turgor pressure for survival.