2025
GROUP 7
MAGIDI NDUVHO
25M6723
IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN THE BODY
THE MOLECULAR AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES OF WATER IN SUPPORTING
KEY BIOCHEMICAL PROCESS
DISTRIBUTION OF WATER IN THE BODY
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body as about 60% of our body weight is
made up of water. Water is a very crucial substance which is needed to sustain vital activities
such as nutrition ,respiratory ,circulation ,excretion and reproduction(Kilic Z , 2020).Water is
distributed in the extracellular and intracellular compartments and the exchange of water in
between the compartment is controlled by osmotic pressure said M.S. at el., (2019) however
extracellular water osmolarity must remain within the very narrow limits to be compatible with
life.
Water contains a vital importance for all living organisms . Water is a biological solvent that
provides dissolution and transport of vitamins and minerals in the body , it regulate the bodies
temperature and ease the work of the kidneys and some of the other body organs .It plays a
crucial role in moisturizing the skin and removing toxins while cleansing the body. Water support
the conversion of nutrients taken into the body and assist with the absorption of nutrients said
(Kilic Z , 2020).They furthermore stated that the main ingredient for carbohydrates , fats and
proteins in the human body, 80% -90% of our blood and 75% of our muscles are made up of
water. Water is a necessary element and we cant survive without it.
STRACTURE AND ABILITY OF WATER
The simple water molecules has unique and exceptional physical and chemical properties that
have allowed life , water has an electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged oxygen
and a positively charged hydrogen of a another water molecule said M.S. et al.,( 2019).This
allows for hydrogen bonding which is stronger and it determines high boiling point and liquidity
of water in the temperature range. They further stated that water is able to dissolve a large
amount hydrophilic substances but can not dissolve hydrophobic substances . Hydrophobic is
responsible for formation of cell membranes and micelles.
WATER AS A FLUID MEDIUM
Water serves a biochemical metabolism reaction medium. Water mediates the acknowledgement
of molecules and act as a communication channel between the inside and outside of proteins ,it
also increases the movement of enzymes making it easy for reactions to occurs and besides the
enzymatic function water allows for nervous transmission of electric current( M.S. et al., 2019).
FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE HUMAN BODY
Water has a function of transport ,where by blood circulate in the body enabling the nutrients ,
hormones and oxygen to be exchanged into different body organs and systems and the blood is
filtered by kidneys in order to eliminate waste products so that they can be excreted as urine
(M.S. et al., 2019).
Water maintains a constant body temperature regardless of the temperature in the surroundings
and metabolic activities(M.SM. et al., 2019). Absorbing heat , distributing it among the liquid
spaces in the body and removing it through the skin during evaporation of sweat then the
temperatures will be kept within a narrow range.
Water plays a crucial structural role by binding to cytoplasmic proteins which in turn determines
the volume of the cell said (M.S. et al.,2019). They continued to say volume regulations impacts
how cells function and control of the growth of the cells additionally it is also essential for
maintaining plasma volume and ensuring adequate blood flow.
Water act as a lubricant in the mouth ,eyes and joints (M.S. et al., 2019 ) explained how water
prevent injuries by adding elasticity to tissues and promotes mucus membrane cleansing it allows
for a smooth movement in the body.
THE BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF DEHYDRATION , INCLUDING ENZYME
DISFUNCTION , ELECTROLYTE INBALANCE , AND THE BODY’S
COMPENSATORY MECHANISM
CONTROL OF INTAKE AND EXCRETION OF WATER
Osmolality is a number of solute particles per unit weight of water ,it affects the movement of
water. Colloid osmotic pressure also affects the movement of water and molecular mass solute
between the intravascular and extravascular compartments. Water intake is controlled by a
sensation of thirst and output is controlled by an antidiuretic hormone. When there is water
deficiency ADH promotes reabsorption in the distal nephron , then the urine will be concentrated
and in cases where there is large water intake thirst is suppressed and ADH secretion will be
reduced, the water will be taken out as a very dilute urine through a process called
diuresis(Walker et al,. 2013 ).
ELECTROLYTE INBALANCE
Lippincott and Wilkins (2006) said that electrolytes regulates water distribution and manage acid
base balance, Sodium and chloride are the major electrolytes in extracellular fluid ,sodium
concentration affects serum osmolality and extracellular volume , it enables nerve and muscle
cell to interact , Chloride maintains osmotic pressure . The adrenal secrete aldosterone and it
influences the sodium potassium balance in the kidney they further explained that the kidney
secrete potassium in exchange of retained sodium , sodium is directly proportional to the fluid
level in the body meaning when the sodium levels drops the fluid levels drops.
HOW DEHYDRATION IS TREATED ,AND AN EXPLANATION OF BIOCHEMISTRY
BEHIND DEHYDRATION TREATMENTS
DEHYDRATION
DEHYDRATION IN ELDERLY AND INFANTS
Healthy adults regulate water balance accurately but infants and elderly are at a greater risk of
dehydration said Walker et al.,( 2013) dehydration can affect consciousness and can induce
hypotonia of ocular globes and orthostatic hypotension. Water maintains the vascular volume and
allows blood circulation which is a need for all the organs in the body, so the inadequate
availability lead to dehydration and can affect many organ systems and cause life threatening
conditions. Older adults lose thirst sensation and the ability to concentrate urine and it favours
increased extracellular osmolarity which results to dehydration(M.S. et al.,. 2019).
When there is an insufficient water supply fluid moves from the cells to the extracellular space
and it is referred to as a hypertonic , as the cell lose fluid they shrink and loses
functionality(Lippincott and Wilkins , 2006 ). Diabetes insipidus is one of dehydration causes
because the brain fails to secrete ADH leading to greater than normal diuresis
TYPES OF DEHYDRATION ,THE CAUSES AND TREATMENT
Jequier and Constant (2009) stated few types of dehydrations and treatment .
There is isotonic dehydration which occurs when salt is lost from gastrointestinal tract like after
diarrhoea and only the extra cellular fluid is reduced ,it can be cured by prescription of isotonic
salt which can be consumed orally and an orally rehydration solution for mild cases.
Hypertonic dehydration is caused by excessive water loss due to vomiting or osmotic diuresis or
poor water intake which can be a result of defective thirst ,it can be treated by drinking adequate
amount of water and the patient should avoid hypertonic solutions , in serve cases an intravenous
fluids are needed.
Hypotonic dehydration occurs when gastrointestinal fluid are replaced by water or a solution that
contains less sodium ion and potassium ion than the fluid lost, the reduced osmolarity causes
water to shift into intracellular fluid in order to reach osmotic balance. The treatment include
hypertonic saline which is a nebuliser and recommended to use a mouth piece and isotonic saline
which also needs to be inhaled.
CONCLUSION
Water is a vital nutrient with numerous critical roles in a human body ,the regulation of water
balance is very accurate and important for the maintenance of the health and life said (Jequier
and Constant ., 2009). It is further proven than on an average an adult should drink 1.5 L of water
daily as water is the only liquid nutrient needed for hydration.
REFERENCE LIST
Isabel Lorenzo ,Mateu Serra-Prat ,Juan Carlos Yebenes(2019). The role of water homeostasis in
in muscle function and frailty. Doi:10.3390/nu11081857
Walker, Simson W ..Clinical Biochemistry , John Wiley and Sons , Incorporated, (2013).
Disturbances of water, sodium and potassium balance. CP 2 Ebook Central.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/rhodes-ebooks/details.action?doc
ID=7103473.
E Jequier and F Constant (2009). Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological basis of
hydration. Department of physiology, University of Lausanne, pully, Switzerland
and Nestle Waters, Paris, France. European journal of clinical Nutrition (2010)64,
115-123; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.111
Kilic Z(2020). The importance of water and conscious use of water:int J Hydro. 2020;4(5):
239-241. DOI:10.15406/ijh.2020.04.00250
Lippincott Williams and Walkins ,(2006). Fluids and electrolytes .Balancing bases Chapter 2
Electrolyte balance (p ,17-29). A 2 – in – 1 Reference for nurses. Published by Judith A.
Schilling McCANN, RN,MSN .
