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

Topology and cell organ shapes, Topology and Cell Organ Shapes Topolog...

Topology and Cell Organ Shapes Topology is an abstract mathematical exercise that deals with the possible shapes and surfaces of an endlessly/infinitely elastic body. Most cel

What is the molecular composition of hemoglobin, What is the molecular comp...

What is the molecular composition of hemoglobin? Does the functionality of hemoglobin as a protein depend upon its tertiary or upon its quaternary structure? Hemoglobin is a mo

Plant, how to test for water in a leaf?

how to test for water in a leaf?

Botany, tell me best topic related to botany

tell me best topic related to botany

What is coevolution, What is Coevolution ? There is considerable eviden...

What is Coevolution ? There is considerable evidence that supports an interesting theory that two individual species can affect each others evolution in reciprocal fashion. In

Explain adverse effects of fosamprenavir calcium, Explain adverse effects o...

Explain adverse effects of fosamprenavir calcium   Adverse effects are similar to those with amprenavir, but in clinical studies the incidence of nausea, vomiting and severe ra

What is the cellular structure to which mrna molecules bind, What is the ce...

What is the cellular structure to which mRNA molecules bind to start the protein synthesis? To make proteins mRNA molecules of necessity associate to ribosomes. Ribosomes have

Can you explain ventricular tachycardia, Q. Can you explain Ventricular Tac...

Q. Can you explain Ventricular Tachycardia? The term is usually reserved for at least four or more beats and modified by the term non sustained. Short runs of non-sustained VT

Explain the mechanisms of heat loss, Name and explain the mechanisms of hea...

Name and explain the mechanisms of heat loss that are contributing to Joel's feelings of coldness. Be sure to name ALL the mechanisms that are contributing!

What are pioneer species, What are pioneer species? What is the role of the...

What are pioneer species? What is the role of the pioneer species? Pioneer species are those first species that colonize places where before there were no living beings, like,

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