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 proportion of the offspring, A laboratory mouse homozygous for an RFLP...

A laboratory mouse homozygous for an RFLP marker is mated to a wild mouse that is heterozygous for that marker. One of the heterozygous individuals resulting from this cross is mat

Culture-negative endocarditis, Special studies to diagnose IE caused by fas...

Special studies to diagnose IE caused by fastidious bacteria and other organisms must be performed (serological studies). Thereafter, unless clinical or epidemiologic clues suggest

Biodiversity maintains, Biodiversity maintains the air we breathe and the w...

Biodiversity maintains the air we breathe and the water we drink. Green plants purify our air and our water by taking in carbon dioxide, regulating water vapour, releasing oxygen,

How to identify the metal out of which the wire is made, A wire 50.0 m long...

A wire 50.0 m long and 2.00 mm in diameter is connected to a source with a potential difference of 9.11 V, and the current is found to be 33.7 A. Assume a temperature of 20°C and,

Find the highest homology among different species, Which level of a gene, s...

Which level of a gene, such as the ADH gene and its encoded product should have the highest homology among different species? Explain your answer. A. The genomic DNA sequences o

.phylum pisces, wt is an air bladder and its function wt is catadromous and...

wt is an air bladder and its function wt is catadromous and anadromus migration

Advice on dischargeperi operative problems, Advice on Discharge :  Patient...

Advice on Discharge :  Patients are allowed to go home on 8th or 9th day. It could be even earlier after off pump coronary artery surgery (OPCAB). They should gradually increase t

Explain subphylum mandibulata, Subphylum Mandibulata Most of them have ...

Subphylum Mandibulata Most of them have three pairs of walking legs, mandibles, compound eyes, antennas, some with wings. There are four classes. Crustacea - aquatic with

Explain the scanning electron microscope, Explain the Scanning Electron Mic...

Explain the Scanning Electron Microscope It can be used to observe intact cells or cell components directly. Then sections are not necessary. It is used for visualizing surface

Explain aortic valvuloplasty, Q. Explain Aortic Valvuloplasty? Valvar a...

Q. Explain Aortic Valvuloplasty? Valvar aortic stenosis accounts for 4-6 per cent of CHD. LV Outflow Tract obstruction eventually leads to LV dysfunction and congestive heart f

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