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

What is the role of the ozone layer for living beings, What is the role of ...

What is the role of the ozone layer for living beings? Ozone, O3, is a gas of the atmosphere that filters ultraviolet radiation from the sun disallowing most of that radiation

The principle of dna cloning, Assume an experimental target that is to make...

Assume an experimental target that is to make vast amounts of a particular DNA fragment in pure form from a combination of DNA fragments.  Whereas the DNA fragments can be introduc

How is a disease-resistant plant selected for breeding, How is a disease-re...

How is a disease-resistant plant selected for successful breeding? Why is the process of fertilisation in a flowering plant referred to as double fertilisation? Explain. Nam

Determine the meaning of response cost, Determine the meaning of Response c...

Determine the meaning of Response cost This is a type of punishment in which the subject has to return back the token (positive reinforcement) earned earlier if the subject dis

Sickle Cell, Sickling occurs in deoxyhemoglobin S, but not in oxyhemoglobin...

Sickling occurs in deoxyhemoglobin S, but not in oxyhemoglobin S. Oxyhemoglobin has a small hydrophobic \"pocket\" in a ß chain region located in the interior of the protein. In de

The mitochondria contain their own dna, Why do you think the mitochondria c...

Why do you think the mitochondria contain their own DNA (circular) and have a double membrane?

How are platelets formed, How are platelets formed? What is the function of...

How are platelets formed? What is the function of platelets? What consequences does the clinical condition known as thrombocytopenia yield? Platelets, also called as thrombocyt

How dna molecules are formed, As a result of DNA replication two DNA molecu...

As a result of DNA replication two DNA molecules come into existence. Why is it not correct to assert that two "new" DNA molecules are created? What is the name given to the proces

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