[Yeast anhydrobiosis: permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane]

When studying the dehydration effect of the eukaryotic cells on the structural and functional characteristics of the cytoplasmic membrane, it was established that serious rearrangements of its molecular organization showing up in a drastic increase in the permeability properties occurred in the yeast when the range of residual humidities of the order of 20-30% was reached. These changes were linked to the beginning of losing some bound water by the cells. It was shown that these rearrangements were reparable, and the normal membrane structure could be restored in the process of slow and gradual rehydration of dehydrated cells in the water vapors.