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

Reproduction., in oogenesis only on functional egg cell is normally formed ...

in oogenesis only on functional egg cell is normally formed from primary oocyte. Briefly explain

Define about the sporocyst larva, Define about the Sporocyst Larva? Sp...

Define about the Sporocyst Larva? Sporocyst is the second larval stage in the life cycle of F. hepatica. It develops from the miracidium larva within the pulmonary chamber of

Psychopharmacology, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: Psychotropic drugs are drugs u...

PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: Psychotropic drugs are drugs used for mentally ill patients for psychotic and neurotic condition.  1)  Antipsychotic or Neuroleptic Drugs and Anti-parki

Establishment of tissue cultures, Establishment of Tissue Cultures By...

Establishment of Tissue Cultures By now you are familiar with the term "Explants". After a few days in culture the explant becomes slightly rough in texture and its surface g

Hypoglycemic effects of dietary factor, Define Hypoglycemic effects of Diet...

Define Hypoglycemic effects of Dietary Factor with antinutritional effect? Of the different carbohydrate foods tested for starch digestibility and blood glucose response, those

Respiration, difference between anaerobic respiration and fermentation

difference between anaerobic respiration and fermentation

Determine the treatment modalities of cis therapy, The protocol includes fo...

The protocol includes four treatment modalities: A = Mechanical Debridement In this the patients are re-instructed in oral hygiene and motivated to initiate and continue m

The best describes the acid properties of guanine, Which statement best des...

Which statement best describes the acid/base properties of guanine? -at pH, guanine will be negatively charge -at pH, guanine will be neutral -it will be an effective buff

Amino acid, Amino acid is any of a class of 20 molecules which are combine...

Amino acid is any of a class of 20 molecules which are combined to form the proteins in living things. Consisting of the general formula NH2-CHR-COOH, where "R" is the side chain

Population and sigmoid curve, Name two possible why the number of live bact...

Name two possible why the number of live bacteria cell have reached the stationary growth by 60hrs and start to die off after 12hrs?

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