Water functions in living beings

Before learning what the function of water in living beings is, we will begin with the basics: what is water and what types exist. Water is a molecule that is composed of two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom. Within its peculiarities we can mention that the water is tasteless, since it has no flavor, toilet, since it does not have smell, and colorless, that is, without color. For its part, water in ecosystems can be present in three different states.

• Water liquid state: Possibly the state that we observe more frequently is the liquid, such as the water that flows through our taps and that is found in the bodies of water, such as rivers, seas and oceans.
• Solid water of water: Another state is the solid, which is mainly in the poles, in glaciers or, even, in some bodies of water in which its surface is frozen.
• Gaseous Water Status: The third state, perhaps the most difficult to observe in nature, is the gaseous state, in the form of water vapor, which is mostly in the atmosphere.

Interestingly, during the water cycle, it suffers a series of transformations and passes through the 3 newly described states. Here you can learn more about the water cycle.

Now, water can be classified according to different criteria. Next, we will list the types of water according to their chemical characteristics:

• Fresh water: It has a low concentration of dissolved salts and solids. It is the one found in rivers, streams, glaciers, some lakes and lagoons and also in underground aquifers. Find out more about this type of water reading these articles: why river water is sweet and fresh water aquatic ecosystems.
• SALADA WATER: It has a high concentration of dissolved salts. It is one that forms the seas and oceans and some lakes and salt water lagoons. In this other article you can know it more: what are the water water ecosystems.
• Hard water: Also called calcareous water, it has high concentrations of dissolved minerals, particularly magnesium and calcium salts. It is frequent in groundwater.
• Soft water: Race to hard water, soft water has very small amounts of dissolved salts.
• Wastewater: It is called the wastewater to any type of water that has been negatively affected in its chemical composition by the influence of human beings.

On the other hand, water can also be classified according to the type of treatment you have received:

• Drinking water: That which, after a drinking treatment, is suitable for human consumption and has no concentrations of compounds that may affect health. Read more about it in this other post: what is drinking water and its characteristics.
• Distilled water: It is water has been purified by a distillation process. Here you can learn more about what the distilled water is for and how to do it.
• Gross or raw water: In contrast to the newly mentioned, gross water is one that has not received any type of treatment.

For more information, we encourage you to read this other post about the types of water. Since we have learned some basic aspects of water, in the following sections we will develop the functions of water in the body of living beings.

The water is fundamental in cells and tissues And the hydration of these gives consistency to organisms, not only to animals but also to plant and other types. As an example, water in organisms is so important that the percentage of water that the human body has is approximately 70%. In addition, it is the main component of blood, lymph and sap.

We recommend you read more about cells and tissues:

• Parts of the animal cell.
• Parts of the plant cell.
• Types of animal tissues.
• Types of plant tissues.

Water also allows living beings control your body temperature. For example, when temperatures are high, organisms perspire, that is, they release sweat or water vapor from within, to refrigerate its exterior and thus reduce body temperature and continue fulfilling their vital functions as well as possible.

Some researchers call water as Universal solventsince it has the ability to dissolve a large number of molecules. Thanks to this particularity, water is a propitious means for the metabolic reactions of organisms to occur in it.

Another of the points that highlight what water is for, is its biochemical function. Water is not only the means where they occur Metabolic reactionsbut is also a participant in some of these reactions. To mention some examples, water is the product of many reactions such as breathing and substrate of other reactions such as photosynthesis. Likewise, water is key in food digestion.

The role of water as transportation allows Nutrients are incorporated from the digestion that are distributed by blood, lymph and sap. Here you can read about the nutrition function: what is and processes.

It also facilitates that waste is eliminated or toxins through urine. In this way, water allows the nutrition and purification of organisms to continue working properly.

He Synovial liquidwhich is mostly composed of water, reduces the rubbing of the bones and works as a shock absorber of the joints. Also, tears, saliva and moccos Formed by a large percentage of water, they serve as a lubricant of the membranes and mucous membranes of many animals, including human beings.

Now that you know the functions of water better in living beings, you can better understand why it is so important to hydrate drinking water and why water is important for living beings in general, but we also recommend you take a look at our article.

If you want to read more articles similar to Water functions in living beingswe recommend that you enter our biology category.