Explain the compound water, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the compound water?

Water :  Water is the most important compound in living cells, making up most of the bulk of living organisms. Our own bodies contain 40% - 60% water. We can survive without food longer than we can without water. Water has several unique properties that make it important to living organisms:

(1) Water is a good solvent. More substances dissolve in water than in any other liquid. Because of its polar nature, water is able to break up ionic compounds into their component ions, freeing them to react with other substances.

(2) Because it is a polar molecule, water is both cohesive and adhesive, which results in capillarity, the ability to move through small orifices or fine pores against the force of gravity and other forces.

(3) The heat of vaporization of water is high; that is, water takes up large quantities of heat when it evaporates, making it a good evaporative coolant. Both plants and animals use water evaporation from surface cells for cooling.

(4) Water has a high specific heat, meaning that it requires a large amount of heat to change its temperature. Since living organisms are made up mostly of water, they gain and lose heat slowly. Water is able to absorb heat from chemical reactions in the organisms.

(5) Water has a high thermal conductivity, or heat conduction, which helps to keep parts of the organism from overheating.

(6) Because of its cohesion, water has a high boiling point. The significance of this is that water does not readily change from a liquid to a gas. In fact, a relatively large quantity of heat is required to change water from a liquid state into gaseous steam.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the compound water

Chemotaxis - modes of cell movement, Chemotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement ...

Chemotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement Chemotaxis considers to me directed movement of cells in response to a concentration gradient of a chemical factor in solution. An instance

Describe metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis, Q. What is the differ...

Q. What is the difference between metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis and what is the difference between metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis? Respiratory acid

Metaphase chromosomes, Metaphase chromosomes: Each metaphase chromoso...

Metaphase chromosomes: Each metaphase chromosomes is a duplicated structure which consists of two sister chromatids, attached at a point called centromere or primary constric

What is the disease caused by dietary iodine deficiency, Q. What are few ex...

Q. What are few examples of mineral salts from the diet that act as coenzymes? Magnesium, copper and zinc are examples of biological coenzymes. Q. What is the disease cause

Water has key participation in organic reactions, Q. Water has key particip...

Q. Water has key participation in organic reactions. What are examples of two types of organic reactions in which water is respectively incorporated or liberated in the products of

Access cavity perforation - types of root perforation, Access Cavity Perfor...

Access Cavity Perforation - Types of Root Perforation Can occur during access cavity perforation (specially in anterior) Due to misdirection of bur during access cavit

Typical signs of hip fracture-shortening, In the case story, Reggie present...

In the case story, Reggie presented with three typical signs of hip fracture-shortening, adduction, and the lateral rotation of the affected limb. What causes these signs? (HINT-th

Why vasa efferentia are the ductules, Vasa efferentia are the ductules lead...

Vasa efferentia are the ductules leading from: 1. Testicular lobules to rete testis 2. Rete testis to vas deferens 3. Vas deferens to epididymis 4. Epididymis to urethra

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd