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Importance of Water - Revised


As the most abundant inorganic substance found in living matter, water is considered to be the factor which holds the key for the prevalence of life on Earth. Though water is essential for living beings, there are several requirements for water to fulfill to allow organisms to prevail. First of all comes the physical state of it. No being could live in solid ice. No being could live in water vapor either. So it is the liquid water that does all the magic. The following chart would give you a clear understanding of the importance of water for living beings :




Property Role Example
Major Improtances
Liquid at room temperature Component of protoplasm The main constituent of cell protoplasm is water
Polarity A powerful solvent Most of the materials in the cell are dissolved in the protoplasm and the cell sap
Chemical property Acts as a reactant in many biochemical processes Photosynthesis
6H2O + 6CO2 --> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Hydrolysis
Starch + H2O --> Maltose
High adhesive and cohesive forces Maintaining turgor in cells Cell enlargement;
Mechanical support for herbaceous plants;
Movement of guard cells;
Blooming of flowers;
Turgor movements
Other Improtances
High surface tension
Provide habitat for some aquatic insects		 Waterskates live and move about on water surface

High specific heat capacity Resists the change of temperature when a considerable amount of heat is absorbed or lost Maintain the body temperature of Poikilotherms and other animals within a narrow range
High latent heat of vaporization Cooling body surfaces Sweating;
Transpiration
High latent heat of fusion A lot of heat has to be dissipated for water bodies to freeze Water does not freeze within cells and in water bodies
High adhesive and cohesive forces Transportation and absorption of materials Translocation and ascent of sap;
Absorption of minerals into plants from the soil solution
Anomalous expansion of volume on freezing Water bodies do not freeze solid. Ice forms on the top while liquid water remains at the bottom. Aquatic organisms are capable of surviving during winter
Transparency Allows penetration of light Aquatic plants and algae are allowed to grow on great depths in water
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