The Importance of Water for Life

Water is the most abundant inorganic compound present within living organisms and without water life could not exist on the planet. The following are some of the characteristics of water which are vital for life;







Water is liquid at room temperature. Being so, it serves as the major component and medium of cell protoplasm.


Water shows polarity, which makes it a powerful solvent. Since most of the metabolic reactions take place in aqueous form inside cells, water could be considered as an essential factor. Not only that, most of the materials dissolved inside cells with the help of water.


Water acts as a reagent in some vital biochemical processes such as in photosynthesis and hydrolysis.


As a liquid with a high surface tension, water provides habitats for some living beings such as water skates, and allows them to move on its surface.

H-Bonds

Water Molecule

High adhesive and cohesive forces available in water play a major role in providing turgidity in cells; providing mechanical energy, which comes helpful in providing support for stems, movements and even in blooming flowers. Apart from maintaining turgidity, the high adhesive and cohesive forces are used in transporting and absorbing materials. (Examples: Translocation and ascent of sap)


Water has a high specific heat capacity. Due to this, organisms have become able to maintain their internal body temperature in a favorable state when a considerable amount of heat is absorbed or lost from the body, since water is a major component in body fluids.


A lot of heat should be dissipated for water bodies to freeze, as water has a high latent heat of fusion, allowing organisms to maintain water within their bodies unfrozen in cold conditions.


Water bodies will note freeze solid due to the anomalous expansion of volume on freezing. Ice forms on top, while liquid water remains at the bottom, making aquatic organisms able of surviving during the winter season.



Water is transparent in nature. So it allows penetration of light, which is a great significance for organisms living under water, in continuing vital activities such as photosynthesis. Aquatic plants and algae could grow in considerable depths in water bodies due to this factor.