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

Protozoa, What spices is protozoa

What spices is protozoa

How do the repairing enzymes of the genetic system act, How do the repairin...

How do the repairing enzymes of the genetic system act? There are enzymes inside the cells that detect errors or alterations in DNA molecules and begin a repair of those errors

What do you understand by open circulatory system, What do you understand b...

What do you understand by Open circulatory system? A circulatory system in which circulating fluid (blood) flows into vessels or tubes not connected to each other by small capi

What are colonies and societies, Q. What are colonies and societies? Th...

Q. What are colonies and societies? The Colonies are functional integrated aggregates formed by individuals of the similar species. The Colonies are often confused with a singl

Determine the weiss theory of fibroosseous fixation, Weiss's Theory of Fibr...

Weiss's Theory of Fibroosseous Fixation Weiss' theory stated that there is a fibro-osseous ligament formed between the implant and the bone and this ligament can be considered

Metabolism of proteins, The major component of food is protein. The protein...

The major component of food is protein. The proteins ingested as part of our diet are not the same proteins required by the body, nor can large molecules be absorbed from the gut.

What are the major cells of which poriferans are made, Q What are the major...

Q What are the major cells of which poriferans are made? Sponges have their external wall covered by flat cells called pinacocytes and having pores well-delimited by special ce

Expain kingdom fungi, Kingdom Fungi Fungi was earlier placed with the t...

Kingdom Fungi Fungi was earlier placed with the true plants and are still largely considered so in the domain of botanists yet they are quite different. They are multicellular

Investigation of aortic regurgitation by surgical therapy, Q. Investigation...

Q. Investigation of aortic regurgitation by Surgical Therapy? The recommendation for Aortic valve replacement is only for those patients with Severe AR. If patients with mild A

What are the parts of nervous system, What are the parts of Nervous system ...

What are the parts of Nervous system Nervous system is divided into three main parts: 1) The brain and spinal cord or Central Nervous System (CNS). 2) The nerves or Peri

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