The biological importance of water Water is a polar molecule composed of an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms by strong

hydrogen bonds. The polarity of the molecule means that adjacent water molecules and other polar solvents can form hydrogen bonds between each other. Such substances are said to by hydrophilic as they dissociate into their ions and become surrounded by water molecules. Water also has a high specific heat capacity allowing it to act as a buffer which is essential for endothermic organisms so they can maintain a constant core temperature for optimum enzyme activity. Only two properties of water have been discussed so far but these present various functions within organisms. Water is a universal medium for transporting dissolved metabolites. The majority of metabolites are hydrophilic and so readily dissolve in water as they are surrounded by water molecules when they dissociate. In mammals substances are transported in the blood, tissue fluid and plasma which are all water based media. Larger molecules such as proteins (which are hydrophobic) can be carried as a colloid (suspension). Water alone is the main transport medium in plants. The xylem transports water from the root hair cells to the palisade cells for photosynthesis. The water is able to travel up the xylem vessels because they are very narrow giving the vessels high capillarity. Water also has high cohesion properties where water molecules bond with other water molecules. This force drags water molecules up the xylem vessel to form a water column. The high adhesion properties whereby the water molecules bind to the wall of the xylem vessel adds to the pulling force of the water column and pulls the xylem vessels inwards causing a decrease in the diameter of the vessels and an increase in tension i.e. the cohesion-tension theory. The water that is transported to the palisade cells is used in chemical reactions as a medium and for photosynthesis. The thermal stability of water as a buffer -over a wide range of temperatures it remains a liquid- and cohesion properties makes water ideal for performing most metabolic reactions. In photosynthesis water is vital in the Light Dependent stage as the light energy splits a water molecule (photolysis) into electrons and protons so that electrons can replenish the supply of electrons in the chlorophyll molecules from PSII (reducing the chlorophyll molecules). The protons released from photolysis are combined with electrons from the electron carriers and NADP. NADP is reduced and enters the light independent stage of photosynthesis. Water is also required in hydrolysis and condensation reactions such as the hydrolysis of polysaccharides. Condensation reaction such as the formation of DNA molecules release water molecules. When nucleotide strands join end to end phosphodiester bonds form releasing water molecules. DNA molecules are constantly being replicated to replace damaged cells. When glycogen is hydrolysed (broken down into monomers) water is required to do so as it adds hydrogen and oxygen molecules to the monomers. Such a process is needed in the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose as an immediate respiratory substrate. This can happen when the blood glucose concentration is too low and so homeostatic mechanisms take control. The blood sugar and salt balance are maintained by homeostasis. Blood sugar concentrations must be maintained at a constant level because too high or low a water potential can lead to osmotic problems causing cells to shrivel or burst. Osmoregulation can maintain the water potential of the blood with the aid of osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus of the brain, the liver and kidneys. These receptors are sensitive to changes in osmotic pressure of blood flowing through them due to varying concentrations of solutes. When ion concentrations increase the sensory receptors detect the high

ion concentration by swelling because water diffuses into the receptors (with a lower water potential) by osmosis. More ADH is released from the pituitary gland to retain water in the kidneys to maintain the water potential of the blood. The individual is left feeling thirsty and encouraged to drink more water to replace it In the regulation of core body temperature, water is an excellent buffer because it has a high specific heat capacity 4.2 KJ/Kg allowing it to maintain a constant body temperature. However the core temperature can still fluctuate. These changes are detected in the blood by thermo receptors in the arties and hypothalamus. An increase in core temperature is detected by the receptors which send impulses to the heat loss centre of the hypothalamus, in turn sending impulses through the autonomic system to the effector such as sweat glands to cool down the body temperature by secreting sweat onto the skin surface. The sweat evaporates from the surface but this requires large amounts of heat energy to do so as the strong hydrogen bonds in water must be broken and so by using heat energy from the body, it lowers the core temperature. The same is true for transpiration which relies on evaporation of water from the leaf surface to lower the temperature of the leaf if it becomes too high. Water is fundamental for support and structure in many organisms, plants in particular. Plant cells have vacuoles which when full provide turgidity to the plant. When bathed in a solution with a high water potential, water diffuses into the cells by osmosis, filled the vacuoles and presses the cytoplasm against the cell wall, thus increasing the surface are of the plant cells. Optimum surface area for plants allows a larger area for the absorption of light and allows the leaves to arrange themselves in a mosaic pattern. When cells are bathed in a solution with a lower water potential than the cells the cells plasmolyse and become flaccid and this affects light absorption, water loss and temperature control. tissue fluid movement;hydrskeleton, gametes, guard cells hydrostatic skeletons- skeleteon composed of fluid kept under pressure in a completely closed section of the body. No hard structures muscles surround a fluid filled body cavity. The movement occurs when muscles cells contract and the contractions squeeze
internal fluid (the hydrostatic skeleton) against the skin, causing the worm to stiffen and the body to shorten and widen. The squirming motion of a worm also depends on a hydrostatic skeleton.

Conclusion Habitat for fish Water helps give fish support through buoyancy