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

Define food availability and food access, Define Food availability and Food...

Define Food availability and Food Access? Food availability: This refers to availability of necessary types of food in sufficient quantity, to the individual. The sources may b

Properties and functions of synapses, Properties and Functions of Synapses ...

Properties and Functions of Synapses There is an interval between depolarisation of the presynaptic terminal and the earliest appearance of a postsynaptic response. This inter

Rules of nomenclature classification, Q. Rules of Nomenclature classificati...

Q. Rules of Nomenclature classification? The Rules of Nomenclature prescribed the categories into which plants should be classified. These categories constitute the units of cl

Carrier protein in a plasma membrane, What is a characteristic feature of a...

What is a characteristic feature of a carrier protein in a plasma membrane? Carrier proteins are globular proteins which are particular it their action and therefore regulate t

Determine the genotypes of parents, In humans, the recessive allele that ca...

In humans, the recessive allele that causes a form of red-green colour blindness (c) is found on the X chromosome. a) Determine the genotypes and phenotypes of the F1 generation fr

Agro industrial-oil seed meals as by-pass protein source, Oil Seed Meals as...

Oil Seed Meals as By-pass Protein Source The protein digestion in ruminants encompasses microbial transformation of dietary protein in the rumin. A varying portion of feed pro

True cyst- endodontics principles and practice, True cyst: cyst that is co...

True cyst: cyst that is completely lined by epithelial tissues.All the lesions are far away without communication with endodontic access or endodontic cavity or periapical

Salt glands in birds and reptiles, Salt Glands in Birds and Reptiles M...

Salt Glands in Birds and Reptiles Marine reptiles for example, iguanas, estuarine sea turtles, crocodiles, sea snakes and marine birds like the marine teleosts do not produce

What is sustainable agriculture, What is sustainable agriculture? Desc...

What is sustainable agriculture? Describe the contribution of biopesticides and biofertilisers in sustainable agriculture.

Determine causes of iron deficiency anaemia, Determine Causes of Iron Defic...

Determine Causes of Iron Deficiency Anaemia? Dietary Inadequacy Poor bioavailability of iron Presence of absorption interfering substances in diet Poverty and

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