The Importance of Water in Biological Systems
The importance of water in Biological Systems
Much of the Earths surface is comprised of water, as well as much of biological systems; for instance, the human body consists of approximately 70% of water, and in other biological organisms this figure could even be 95%. This largely relies on the bonding of water, whereby two hydrogen atoms bond to one oxygen atom; hydrogen bonding is the strongest intermolecular force due to its high polarity. Hence, what is the biological importance of water?
Water as a transport medium in plants
The properties of water make it an essential molecule to all forms of live; in plants, water serves a great importance of transporting nutrients, and it is its properties which allow it to be transported through a leaf. Due to its adhesive properties, water exhibits the phenomenon of capillary action in a plant, whereby water moves upwards through the xylem vessel of a plant, as the water molecules are attracted greatly to the inner walls of the xylem. The attraction of the water molecules to other compounds allows this to happen, thus, water is transported from the roots, through to the xylem vessel and then to the leaves of a plant. Moreover, the transport of nutrients also relies on water’s properties; the solvency of water allows nutrients to be transported throughout a plant. Dissolved nutrients in groundwater are absorbed through the plant’s roots, and delivered to different parts of the plant, in order for certain processes and functions to occur, such as for photosynthesis, reproduction or maintenance of the plants growth and health. Consequently, without the presence of water, certain functions and processes will not occur, or would be slowed down; hence, water is necessary in plants and serves a great importance.
Surface Tension
Water as a transport medium in Animals and Cells
Too add, water is also an excellent transport medium in animals; it is a major constituent of cells, as well as encompassing 90% of
Much of the Earths surface is comprised of water, as well as much of biological systems; for instance, the human body consists of approximately 70% of water, and in other biological organisms this figure could even be 95%. This largely relies on the bonding of water, whereby two hydrogen atoms bond to one oxygen atom; hydrogen bonding is the strongest intermolecular force due to its high polarity. Hence, what is the biological importance of water?
Water as a transport medium in plants
The properties of water make it an essential molecule to all forms of live; in plants, water serves a great importance of transporting nutrients, and it is its properties which allow it to be transported through a leaf. Due to its adhesive properties, water exhibits the phenomenon of capillary action in a plant, whereby water moves upwards through the xylem vessel of a plant, as the water molecules are attracted greatly to the inner walls of the xylem. The attraction of the water molecules to other compounds allows this to happen, thus, water is transported from the roots, through to the xylem vessel and then to the leaves of a plant. Moreover, the transport of nutrients also relies on water’s properties; the solvency of water allows nutrients to be transported throughout a plant. Dissolved nutrients in groundwater are absorbed through the plant’s roots, and delivered to different parts of the plant, in order for certain processes and functions to occur, such as for photosynthesis, reproduction or maintenance of the plants growth and health. Consequently, without the presence of water, certain functions and processes will not occur, or would be slowed down; hence, water is necessary in plants and serves a great importance.
Surface Tension
Water as a transport medium in Animals and Cells
Too add, water is also an excellent transport medium in animals; it is a major constituent of cells, as well as encompassing 90% of