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𝐁𝐒𝐨π₯𝐨𝐠𝐒𝐜𝐚π₯ 𝐒𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

 A level biology - The biological importance of water

By Rehya <3

Water is vital for sustaining life on earth. Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom covalently bonded together. The attraction between different water molecules is by hydrogen bonding. Through the dipolar nature (caused by the partial negative and positive charges on opposite sides), this gives water distinct characteristics which helps to sustain life on earth.


Water's properties

Water is important, especially in the food web because water is useful in producers, like plants. Water is hard to compress which causes the cell to be rigid. Another importance of water is the dipolar nature of water causing it to be cohesive. Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type. Cohesion allows water to drag through the roots and into the stems, attracting other water molecules. Adhesion is the strong attraction between water molecules caused by water being dipolar and it is caused by the hydrogen bonds (they are very strong). Water travelling through the stem by adhesion and cohesion, allows the plant to receive nutrients from the water. Water is also transparent which allows plants to photosynthesis underwater. 



Water's importance on large multicellular organisms 

Water is also important for animals. As multicellular organisms like humans and animals have a large surface area, the distance for nutrients to travel is further. So water's cohesive nature and low viscosity helps water to flow and transport substances quickly and easily around the body. Furthermore, water is a solvent. This allows biological reactions to take place because most reactions happen in solutions. Water also helps to dissolve nutrients if they are ions because the hydrogen will be attracted to the negative ion, and the oxygen will be attracted to the positive ion.. This is beneficial as oxygen and glucose, which both dissolve in water, can be transported quickly and easily around the body. 


Benefits of a high specific heat capacity

Water also helps to create a good habitat for plants and animals to live in. As the Arctic is cold, water has a very high specific heat capacity to resist the change in temperature  because lots of energy is needed to break hydrogen bonds. Therefore, thermal stability can be maintained because water resists temperature change allowing arctic animals to live in this thermally stable environment. Water helps arctic animals to survive because of water’s ability to freeze top down. This is beneficial as the frozen ice frozen at the surface helps to provide an insulating layer for the animals underneath.


Water and insects dependant on it

Water is essential in allowing insects to function daily. For example, water striders are able to eat land insects that have fallen on water. This is because of water’s ability to create a skin, so the water strider can stay on top of the water so it will not drown. Worms and plants both receive the hydrostatic nature of water either by the pressure of water pressing against the vacuole and the cell wall (providing structural support in plants) or in the hydrostatic skeleton of worms (providing support and flexibility). Spiders (feared by common animals like cows), use the hydrostatic pressure from their blood to help to extend their legs. 


To conclude, water is beneficial in both plants and animals because of the unique properties water has to provide for survival. Water behaves in unusual ways, which helps plants and animals to survive and to sustain ecosystems. 

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