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

Aves, detail information about ave?

detail information about ave?

Why in some cases is mitosis a synonym of reproduction, Why in some cases i...

Why in some cases is mitosis a synonym of reproduction? In some living beings asexual reproduction happens by many means: binary division, schizogony, budding, grafting, etc. I

Zoonoses disease- taeniasis, Taeniasis Taeniasis is a zoonotic diseas...

Taeniasis Taeniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by specific cestodes. The two parasites of major importance are Taenia saginata and T. solium. Both in their adult forms, are

Explain the decolourizing agent - ziehl-neelsen method, Explain the Decolou...

Explain the Decolourizing Agent - Ziehl-Neelsen Method? Acid alcohol - a mixture of 95% ethanol and 3% HCI - is used for decolourization. Before decolourization, smear is allow

steps of c-dna creation and mrna, C dna is made from a mature m rna of euk...

C dna is made from a mature m rna of eukaryotic cell with the utilization of enzyme called as reverse transcriptase. Steps in c dna creation 1. m rna is made and purified f

What is the significance of spicules, What is the significance of Spicules?...

What is the significance of Spicules? Any needlelike structure. This term is very often thought of in conjunction with sponges and refers to needlelike structures produced by s

What is the cell theory, Cell theory is a theory that asserts that the cell...

Cell theory is a theory that asserts that the cell is the ingredient unit of the living beings. Before the discovery of the cell, it was not examined that the living beings were

Assessment of peripheral vascular perfusion (beside test), Assessment of Pe...

Assessment of Peripheral Vascular Perfusion (Beside Test) Burger's Postural Test Perform in daylight.  Place patient supine with both legs elevated and knees

Chemicals responsible for imparting the sweetness, The chemicals responsibl...

The chemicals responsible for imparting the sweetness, classic salt taste and bitter and sour taste are summarized herewith.  A. Sweet Taste Sweetness is one of the most importa

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