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

Mention the main cause of air pollution in metro cities, a) Mention the mai...

a) Mention the main cause of air pollution in metro cities. Write any three ways by which it can be decreased. b) How did Eli Lilly synthesize the human insulin? Mention

Fixism what are the main arguments that favor evolutionism, In the scientif...

In the scientific competition against fixism what are the main arguments that favor evolutionism? The major arguments in favor of evolutionism are paleontological, from the stu

What is vaso-constriction, a) What is 'vaso-constriction'? b) W...

a) What is 'vaso-constriction'? b) What are the effects of vaso-constriction in the skin?   a) Vaso-constriction is the reduce in diameter of small arterioles an

Chlorocruorins - respiratory pigments, Chlorocruorins - Respiratory Pigment...

Chlorocruorins - Respiratory Pigments These types of respiratory pigments are found in four polychaete families: Sabellidae, Serpulidae, Ampharetidae and Chlorhaemidae. The pi

Coccidioidomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis Coccidioidomycosis is a soil-...

Coccidioidomycosis Coccidioidomycosis is a soil-borne infection of pet, domestic, wild animals and  man. The disease is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a dimorphic fungus wh

Define conjunctival xerosis - micronutrient deficiencies, Define Conjunctiv...

Define Conjunctival Xerosis - Micronutrient Deficiencies? Conjunctiva in nonnal children is bright white, smooth and glistening. Conjunctival xerosis is characterized by drynes

Into which two groups can the nitrogen-containing bases, Into which two gro...

Into which two groups can the nitrogen-containing bases that form DNA and RNA be classified? What is the criterion used in that classification? The nitrogen-containing bases th

How fever, How Fever,Illness,Infections,Injury affects the BMR? Any ill...

How Fever,Illness,Infections,Injury affects the BMR? Any illness or fever caused by an illness influences the metabolic rate. Fevers increase the metabolic rate by about 7% for

Agro industrial-steam treatment, Steam treatment Steam treatment of cro...

Steam treatment Steam treatment of crop residues under pressure has recently opened a new vista for their nutritional improvement especially in the situation when steam availab

Disorder of platelets - purpura, Disorder of Platelets - Purpura Purpu...

Disorder of Platelets - Purpura Purpuras  are bleeding disorders characterised by petechiae  and ecchymosis which may be due to deficiency in either,  the number or quality of

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