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

Skeletal tissue - bone, BON E - Bone is the hardest tissue in the ...

BON E - Bone is the hardest tissue in the body and supports various organs. The inorganic salts present in the matrix are calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calci

Define the etiology for bulimia nervosa, Define the Etiology for Bulimia Ne...

Define the Etiology for Bulimia Nervosa? Bulimia nervosa is a multifaceted disorder with psycologic, physiologic, developmental and cultural components. There may be a genetic

Theory of evolution, Evolution: This deals with the origin of newer types o...

Evolution: This deals with the origin of newer types of organism from the previous ones by modification involving genetic changes and adaptations. Evolution also called as biologic

Writing transport and flow expressions in simbiology, How do I write the ex...

How do I write the expression for reaction rate (transport) of species between the arterial compartment and the other tissue compartments in symbiology?

What is the non-paralytic squnit, Concomitant or Non-Paralytic Squnit ...

Concomitant or Non-Paralytic Squnit This type of squint usually occurs when there is an obstacle in the sensory pathway of binocular reflex such as refractive errors, opacities

5, Air Microbes

Air Microbes

How to measure a quality of water sample, various parameters which are used...

various parameters which are used in water quality measurement

Properties of pyridoxine, Properties of pyridoxine a)  It forms white, ...

Properties of pyridoxine a)  It forms white, odourless  crystals. b)  The compound is readily soluble  in water. c)  When  a neutral or alkaline solution of pyridoxine is

What is gene expression, What is Gene Expression ? Gene expression i...

What is Gene Expression ? Gene expression is the process by which a gene is activated to produce a certain protein. Cells are able to respond to changes in the environment i

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