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

Nervous system - brain, BRAI N (ENCEPHELON) Shape - Oval Positio...

BRAI N (ENCEPHELON) Shape - Oval Positio n - Situated in cranial cavity of skull. Medulla oblongeta comes out of foramen magnum in the form of spinal cord. Colou

Are there living beings without cells, Are there living beings without cell...

Are there living beings without cells? Viruses are measured the only living beings that do not have cells. Viruses are constitute by genetic material (DNA or RNA) enwrapped by

Isonzerization of glucose-6-phosphate, Isonzerization of glucose-6-phosphat...

Isonzerization of glucose-6-phosphate Isonzerization  of  glucose-6-phosphate :  This step  is  catalyzed  by phosphoglucoisomerase to  form  fructose-6-phosphate.

Define protein requirements during sepsis, Define Protein Requirements duri...

Define Protein Requirements during Sepsis? Adequate amount of protein is required by these patients to improve immunity against infections, promote recovery, spare lean body ma

How is l. monoctogenes infection transmitted, How is L. monoctogenes infect...

How is L. monoctogenes infection transmitted? Listriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection. Transmitted by animal excretions (faecal matter) and secretions, infecte

Uncomplicated q wave mi-coronary artery bypass surgery, Uncomplicated Q ...

Uncomplicated Q Wave MI :  CABG has very little place in cases of uncomplicated Q wave myocardial infarction. However the place of urgent surgery has to be compared to thrombo

How are birds characterized, Q. Bird identity card. How are birds character...

Q. Bird identity card. How are birds characterized according to examples of representing beings, basic morphology, respiration, skin, nitrogen waste, circulation,thermal control an

Define some major source of sodium and chloride, Define some major source o...

Define some major source of sodium and chloride? The major source of sodium and chloride is common salt added to our food in the form of sodium chloride. Naturally occurring so

Properties of stem cells-pulp tissue revascularization, Properties of Stem ...

Properties of Stem Cells Stem cells are defined by having 3 major properties: 1) They are capable of self-renewal.  2) They divide, some daughter cells give rise to cells

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