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

Zoology, differences regarding Tiger Planaria and the Iridescent Phyllodoce...

differences regarding Tiger Planaria and the Iridescent Phyllodoce

Explain about the mucor - fungi, Explain about the Mucor  - Fungi? Muc...

Explain about the Mucor  - Fungi? Mucor is present as a food contaminant. It resembles Rhizopus in life history and colonies appear just like Rhizopus. However, important diffe

Explain the proteins stabilize emulsions, Explain The proteins stabilize em...

Explain The proteins stabilize emulsions The proteins stabilize emulsions and contribute  physical  and rheological properties,  like thickness,  viscosity, elasticity   and  r

What type of membrane is the cell membrane, Concerning permeability what ty...

Concerning permeability what type of membrane is the cell membrane? The cell membrane is a selectively permeable membrane, i.e., it permits the passage of water and some select

Characteristic of callus, Characteristic of Callus The most important ...

Characteristic of Callus The most important characteristic of callus from a functional view point is that abnormal growth has the potential to develop normal roots, shoots and

Difference between translation and transcription, Q. What is the difference...

Q. What is the difference between translation and transcription? Transcription is the name given to the formation of DNA molecules from an open DNA chain used as a template, Tr

Define compartments of extracellular fluid, Define Compartments of Extracel...

Define Compartments of Extracellular Fluid? The extracellular fluid compartment is further subdivided into several smaller compartments. These include: 1. Plasma 2. The i

Is rabies caused by virus or by bacteria?, Q. Is rabies caused by virus or ...

Q. Is rabies caused by virus or by bacteria? How is it transmitted? Which organs and tissues are affected by the disease? How is it prevented and treated? The Rabies, as well k

Calculate the insulin bolus and drip rate , Mrs. M is a 35-year-old Hispani...

Mrs. M is a 35-year-old Hispanic female with no known past medical history; does not have a primary care provider (PCP). She presents to the emergency department with the following

Cystitis, C y s t i t i s It is the inflammation of urinary blad...

C y s t i t i s It is the inflammation of urinary bladder characterized by frequent painful urination and presence of blood and cells in urine. E t iology:

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