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

Define the fact that we must eat to gain the energy, Which law of thermodyn...

Which law of thermodynamics explains the fact that we must eat to gain the energy to perform the functions of life, such as breathing? a. fourth law b. first law c. second law d

Character of phylum annelida, what are the advanced characters of phylum an...

what are the advanced characters of phylum annelida that cannot be found in other phyla?

Process of conducting system of the heart, Impulses reaching the AV node fr...

Impulses reaching the AV node from the atria are delayed a little as they pass through the trunk and crura. The impulses first reach the papillary muscles and their contraction clo

Crossing over, is crossing over of chromosomes is a method?

is crossing over of chromosomes is a method?

How public perception of science has distorted, Give an example of how the ...

Give an example of how the public perception of science has been distorted or manipulated to serve an alternative purpose.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of colour, Q. Qualitative and Quantit...

Q. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Colour? Primarily, two types of analysis are carried out for food colours - qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative analysi

How can i become involved in supporting brain research, How can I become in...

How can I become involved in supporting brain research? A. Here are some ways which you can support brain research: Join in activities of Brain Awareness Week. Dona

Excretion in cockroach, EXCRETIO N IN COCKROACH- Animal is uricotelic....

EXCRETIO N IN COCKROACH- Animal is uricotelic. Excretory organs are malphighian tubules. 60-150 in 6-8 groups. In each group 10-15. Yellow coloured, blind tube, open in gut

Termination and follow-up in diabetes mellitus, Q. Termination and Follow-u...

Q. Termination and Follow-up in diabetes mellitus? After plan is implemented, you have to assess the progress. Slowly start winding up the contact with the client and the famil

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