Why are sugars important for desiccation tolerance?
Sugars have been shown to be necessary for organisms to survive drying. However it seems like sugars and other cellular elements together are required for desiccation tolerance.
Trehalose
Trehalose is a sugar found in many, but not all desiccation tolerant organisms. Although not all organisms have it, it might be helpful if they did… Trehalose on its own can provide protection to molecules that are not desiccation tolerant.
Sucrose
Sucrose is a protectant molecule that plants use to fend off he negative effects of desiccation.
How Do They Work?
Trehalose, and other mediators of desiccation tolerance help to stabilize cellular structures that are damaged during dehydration. Without these mediators membranes get shuffled around and break apart or lose function. These mediators help to maintain structure and function during desiccation.
Without mediators
With Mediators
