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

Explain urine urea nitrogen - nutrition during stress, Explain Urine Urea N...

Explain Urine Urea Nitrogen - Nutrition during Stress? 5 gm/24 hrs. = No stress 5 to 10 gm/24 hr = mild hyper-metabolism or level 1 stress 10 to 15 gml24 hrs = moderat

Define the composition of potato dextrose agar, Define the Composition of P...

Define the Composition of Potato Dextrose Agar? This media is used for cultivation of yeasts, fungi and moulds. Potato (Peeled) - 200.0 gm Dextrose - 20.0 gm Agar - 15

Human body, what are the importance in studying animal tissues?

what are the importance in studying animal tissues?

Non-ketotic hyperosmolar diabetic coma, Non-Ketotic Hyperosmolar Diabetic C...

Non-Ketotic Hyperosmolar Diabetic Coma (NKHDC) is another acute complication of diabetes mellitus. In this condition, the coma (loss of consciousness) is developed due to high blo

Define class turbellaria - flatworms, Define Class Turbellaria - Flatworms ...

Define Class Turbellaria - Flatworms ? Members of these two Classes are known as the flukes. Flukes are parasitic flatworms that inhabit tropical areas like Southeast Asia and

Thalopyta, cherector and economic imoprtance of fungi snd algae

cherector and economic imoprtance of fungi snd algae

Effects on health - water pollution, Effects on Health - Water Pollution ...

Effects on Health - Water Pollution Water pollution deteriorates the quality of water used for drinking, bathing, swimming, recreation and irrigation. Water contaminated with

Endodontics principles and practice, Endodontics principles and practice ...

Endodontics principles and practice According to American association of endodontic, retreatment defined as:A procedure to remove root canal filling materials from the tooth vi

Consumptive use values, This means the non-market value of natural products...

This means the non-market value of natural products such as firewood, game and fodder that do not pass through a market or product preparation. Indigenous people in developing cou

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