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

Explain autoxidation, Autoxidation It is generally agreed that "autoxid...

Autoxidation It is generally agreed that "autoxidation", that is, the reaction with molecular oxygen via a self - catalytic mechanism, is the main reaction involved  in oxidati

Chloroplast, Chloroplasts is the disk-like organelles with the double memb...

Chloroplasts is the disk-like organelles with the double membrane found in eukaryotic plant cells; contain thylakoids and are the site of the photosynthesis. ATP is produced durin

Myocarditis, Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardiu...

Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, of the heart muscles. i) Causes Infection: . Wrus, bacteria, fungus, parasites Non-infection: Radi

Define the armamentarium, Define the Armamentarium a) Micro-mirrors (ma...

Define the Armamentarium a) Micro-mirrors (magnification: x 40, Size: 0.5) b) Micro-probe c) Micro-blades, tissue retractors d) Burs e) Retrograde Tips "round bur

If jean-baptiste de lamarck was correct so result will be, If jean-Baptiste...

If jean-Baptiste de Lamarck was correct, than a. Natural selection would lead to the spread of favourable traits within a population b. Finches that stretched their beaks to access

What is cerebrum, What is Cerebrum Cerebrum is divided into right and l...

What is Cerebrum Cerebrum is divided into right and left parts known as cerebral hemisphere. It is the largest part of the brain. The functions of the cerebrum:  It recei

Radiography, R a d i o g r a p h y: ...

R a d i o g r a p h y: Radiograph or X-ray remains the most well-known and primary diagnostic tool of all the imaging modalities. It works b

Explain irradiation, Explain Irradiation The physical process of expos...

Explain Irradiation The physical process of exposing an object, system, or a material to a high radiant energy for the sterilization or preservation.

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