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 about the serum vitamin b12 assay, Explain about the Serum vitamin ...

Explain about the Serum vitamin B12 assay? Serum vitamin B 12 assay: The vitamin B 12 content of serum can be determined.  A serum level of 12 deficiency.

Structure of the intestines, Describe the structure of the intestines. How ...

Describe the structure of the intestines. How are they modified to carryout their functions? How does the human intestine compare to the fetal pig?

Management for poisoning and overdose, Management  for Poisoning  and Ove...

Management  for Poisoning  and Overdose: The following data should be obtained at the time of initial contact.  Phone Number:  getting the caller's telephone number  is n

External features of human heart, External features of human heart H...

External features of human heart Human heart is a muscular, hollow organ situated slightly towards left side of the thorasic cavity. It is made up of special muscles call

Explain the decolourizing agent - stain technique, Explain the Decolourizin...

Explain the Decolourizing Agent - Stain Technique? 95% ethanol is used as a decolourizing agent. It has two functions - (1) It acts as protein - dehydrating agent, and (2

Explain apoptosis, Changes those are associated with programmed cell death,...

Changes those are associated with programmed cell death, containing release of apoptotic bodies, blebbing, and nuclear fragmentation.

Michaelis menten, Regulation of enzymatic action equations for competitive,...

Regulation of enzymatic action equations for competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive inhibition and mixed reaction

Clotting disorder - haemophilia, Clotting Disorder - Haemophilia Haemo...

Clotting Disorder - Haemophilia Haemophilia  is a congenital  blood clotting  disorder caused by the genetic lack/ deficiency of  coagulation factor VIII or antihaemophiliac

Artificial inspiration, Artificial Inspiration : a. After artificial exp...

Artificial Inspiration : a. After artificial expiration, the rescue worker should slowly release the pressure on the back of the victim. b. This will cause the chest cavity t

What raw materials require for the manufacture of margarine, What raw mater...

What raw materials require for the manufacture of margarine Soybean and peanut (or groundnut) oils are of great economic importance. Refined soybean oil contains branched fura

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