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

Rana tigrina, cranial and spinal nerves account of rana tigrina

cranial and spinal nerves account of rana tigrina

When atp gives energy to the cellular metabolism, When ATP gives energy to ...

When ATP gives energy to the cellular metabolism it loses one of its phosphates and ADP reappears. ADP can also lose more phosphates and produce AMP (adenosine monophosphate) o

What is pulse rate, Pulse Each time the left ventricle contracts and fo...

Pulse Each time the left ventricle contracts and forces blood into the aorta, it expands to adjust additional blood. And blood already present is pushed to other section and al

Points to keep in mind for diabetes counsellor, Counselling involves a proc...

Counselling involves a process, the aim of which is to help others to help themselves by making better choices and becoming better choosers of options. The counsellor's repertoire

Why is the determination of the blood types of the donor, Why is the determ...

Why is the determination of the blood types of the donor and of the recipient important in transfusions? The Red blood cells have different antigens in the outer surface of the

Water soluble vitamins, Water Soluble Vitamins B-vitamins are abundant...

Water Soluble Vitamins B-vitamins are abundant in milk and other feeds. B-vitamins are synthesized by rumen microorganisms, beginning soon after a young animal begins feeding.

Explain the competitive behaviour of social animal group, Explain the Compe...

Explain the Competitive behaviour of social animal group dominance behaviours removal of individuals to other groups which minimises inbreeding eg lions, apes.

biodegrade xenobiotic compounds , Xenobiotic compounds are man-made chemi...

Xenobiotic compounds are man-made chemicals that are present in the environment at unnaturally high concentrations. The xenobiotic compounds are either not produced naturally, o

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Q. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis? As d...

Q. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis? As discussed in the case study above, the common symptoms are: 1. Mild abdominaI discomfort, an urgent need to defecate several times a da

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