Plant Water

Role of Water in Plants You know that water is the main constituent of plant cells. It performs the following major functions

1. Water as a Solvent Water is a very good solvent. It easily dissolves electrolytes and small molecules such as glucose and amino acids. As you know life evolved as a result of chemical reactions that occurred in aqueous medium of the oceans and even today we know that all reactions in a cell occur in aqueous medium.
2. Water as a Chemical Reactant Water participates in many biochemical reactions. It is involved in photosynthesis, the most important process of life. The photochemical splitting of water evolves oxygen, and the hydrogen atoms are denotated to Co₂ for making glucose. During catabolism, carbohydrates, fats and proteins require water for hydrolyses. In the course of your study, you will come across many other biochemical reactions which also involve water.
3. Water Provides Turgidity to the Cells Plants maintains their shape due to turgidity which is brought about by the hydrostatic pressure of water in the cells. If water moves out, the cells become flaccid. Hydrostatic pressure is also necessary for the enlargement of cells and as a consequence growth results.