1 – 2 sentences why each of the following unique properties of water is important to living things
Water is the universal solvent:
Water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid
Water molecules are attracted to one another (cohesion)
Water molecules are attracted to other substances (adhesion)
1. Water being the universal solvent is important to living things because it allows for the dissolution and transport of various substances within organisms, facilitating essential biochemical reactions and nutrient uptake.
2. The property of water being less dense as a solid than as a liquid is crucial because it enables ice to float on water, creating an insulating layer on bodies of water in colder temperatures, protecting the delicate organisms beneath.
3. Cohesion, or the attraction between water molecules, is significant for living things as it allows water to form cohesive networks, creating surface tension that helps support small organisms and enables capillary action, facilitating water movement in plant systems.
4. Adhesion, or the attraction between water molecules and other substances, is important for living things because it allows water to adhere to the surfaces of cells, facilitating cell hydration, nutrient absorption, and maintaining proper functioning of biological systems.
1. Water being the universal solvent is important to living things because it allows for the dissolution of various substances, facilitating crucial biological processes such as nutrient absorption and waste removal.
To understand why water is the universal solvent, we need to know that it has a polar nature, with its oxygen atom being slightly negative and hydrogen atoms being slightly positive. This polar nature enables water molecules to attract and surround ions and polar molecules, effectively breaking them apart and dissolving them.
2. The property of water being less dense as a solid than as a liquid is important to living things because it allows ice to float on water. This floating ice insulates the underlying water, preserving the aquatic life beneath during freezing temperatures.
To understand why water is less dense as a solid, we need to consider its unique hydrogen bonding. As water freezes, its molecules arrange in a hexagonal structure, creating open spaces between them. These spaces increase the volume but do not add mass, resulting in lower density compared to liquid water.
3. The attraction between water molecules, known as cohesion, is important to living things because it allows for the transport of water against gravity in plants, known as capillary action. Cohesion also contributes to the high surface tension of water, enabling insects to walk on water surfaces.
To understand cohesion, we should note that water molecules are attracted to each other due to hydrogen bonding. These bonds form between the slightly negative oxygen atom of one water molecule and the slightly positive hydrogen atom of another. This attraction creates a continuous chain of water molecules and aids in various biological processes.
4. The property of water molecules being attracted to other substances, known as adhesion, is important to living things because it allows water to adhere to the walls of plant cells and move upward through small tubes, aiding in the transportation of nutrients. Adhesion also contributes to the formation of water droplets on surfaces.
To understand adhesion, we need to recognize that water molecules can form weak bonds with other polar or charged substances. This occurs when the slightly negative oxygen atom of water interacts with the slightly positive region of another substance. This property enables water to adhere to various surfaces and play a significant role in biological processes.