Dependence of Life on Water

Introduction

Water is the most fundamental requirement for all living forms on earth to survive. This is realistic to claim that water seems to be the case that Earth has been the only planet capable of supporting life.

Water is regarded as the most important as well as a necessary component for the existence of all living forms on Earth. Humans rely heavily on water to meet all their needs. As a result, the analysis of water is critical. Several tests were carried out on it, and often a significant quantity of data has been collected. Water is indeed a chemical substance with the composition 𝐻2𝑂 that is made up of 2 elements, Hydrogen as well as Oxygen in such a ratio of 2:1. 2 𝐻 atoms are covalently bound to a 1 𝑂 atom in a water molecule. Water is very important because we all need water for every use, home and commercial. Water makes up 65 percent of the human body as well as being essential for the existence of life. The distribution of water on the planet's surface seems to be unequal. Water, as a polar inorganic substance, would be a colourless, tasteless, as well as odourless liquid.

The Molecular Makeup of Water

Almost all the roles that water plays in maintaining life are attributable to its chemical composition as well as a few specific characteristics. It is a simple molecule composed of 2 small, positively charged 𝐻 atoms as well as 1 large, negatively charged 𝑂 atom. Whenever hydrogens unite with oxygen, an imbalanced molecule is produced with a positive charge over one side as well as a negative charge on the other side. Polarity seems to be the difference in charge and governs how water reacts with certain additional elements.

Water is the “Universal Solvent”

It is recognised as one of the most solvent molecules due to its universal solvent as well as high dielectric constant. Because water has positive charges owing to hydrogen as well as negative charges because of oxygen, this pulls diverse molecules of numerous compounds, destroys their molecular forces, as well as causes them to disperse into it.

Water Supports Cellular Structure

Water among numerous cells (such as the one that comprises the human body) generates pressure which resists external factors, like filling the air in such a balloon. As a result, plants, particularly those that can maintain their cell structure using no water, require water to survive. Water enables everything within cells to get the correct molecular form. Because shape seems to be essential for biological processes, that's one of water's most crucial functions.

Chemical Reactions of Water

Amphoteric Nature

This distinctive property of water is also one of its most significant factors. It indicates that water may react both as an acid and as a base. Water would be neither acidic nor basic in its natural form. The primary reason for this feature is its ability to gain and lose protons during any chemical reaction. For example −

$$\mathrm{Acidic\::\:H_{2}O\:+\:NH_{3}\:\rightarrow\:NH^{+}\:+\:OH^{-}}$$

$$\mathrm{Basic\::\:H_{2}O\:+\:H_{2}S\:\rightarrow\:H_{3}O^{+}\:+\:HS^{-}}$$

Redox Reactions

Water may be both oxidised and reduced. As a result, it is easily susceptible to redox reactions. Electropositive substances can reduce water to hydrogen, whereas electronegative substances can oxidise water to oxygen.

$$\mathrm{2H_{2}O\:+\:2Na\:\rightarrow\:2NaOH\:+\:H_{2}}$$

Hydrolysis Reaction

Water seems to have a strong hydrating propensity due to its high dielectric constant. As a result, it can dissolve a wide range of ionic compounds.

$$\mathrm{SiCl_{4}\:+\:2H_{2}O\:\rightarrow\:SiO_{2}\:+\:4HCl}$$

⦁ Self-Ionisation

Water ionisation occurs through the mechanism of autoproteolysis, this implies that in terms of generating the hydroxide ion 𝑂𝐻−, 𝐻2𝑂 deprotonates.

$$\mathrm{2H_{2}O\:\Longleftrightarrow\:H_{2}O^{+}\:+\:OH^{-}}$$

Properties of Water

• It carries heat the most easily of any liquid.

• The surface tension of water is quite high.

• It exhibits a high specific heat.

• It is indeed a clear liquid within visible electromagnetic radiation.

• It has no colour or odour.

• It has very less electrical conductivity, and it rises as the number of ionic compounds contained in it accumulates.

Role of Water in Our Lives

• Farming, showering, cleaning, wiping, cooking, as well as drinking are all dependent on water.

• Farmers rely on water to irrigate their crops.

• Water aids in the regulation of our body's temp, the maintenance of the human body's pH level, as well as the elimination of waste assets via urine.

• Water within our saliva aids in chewing, allowing food to pass easily down our throats.

• Drinking enough water lowers your risk of having a heart attack and raises the metabolic rate of the body.

• A lot of water improves brain function by giving the necessary amount of oxygen.

• Ample water consumption aids in the prevention of dehydration.

Conclusion

Water is a fundamental fluid on the planet as well as being essential for the sustainability of life. Water covers nearly two-thirds of the surface of the planet. Water is a clear liquid that composes the earth's rivers, seas, as well as lakes. It is typically present in salty form and thus is unfit for drinking. Water makes up 75 percent of the human body as well as possibly 90 percent of human blood. Even though water has a broad range of purposes, including drinking, cleansing, cooking, farming, and much more, our society pollutes the water supply to the point at which it becomes useless, resulting in situations of water shortage on our planet. Our activities have an impact on far more than merely our life forms. Water has the general formula 𝐻2𝑂 because it is made up of 2 𝐻 atoms and 1 𝑂 atom. Life cannot exist in the absence of water.

FAQs

1. What will happen if there is no water?

Without adequate water, the kidneys expend extra energy but also cause tissue deterioration. The kidneys should perform correctly to clear waste from circulation. When people do not even drink adequate water, their kidneys, as well as several organs, will eventually cease functioning.

2. What will happen when we do not protect our water resources?

Failure to save water may result in a loss of an appropriate water system, which can have serious repercussions. This included increased prices, diminished food availability, health risks, as well as political turmoil. It contributes to the preservation of our ecosystem.

3. What are the constraints of water?

The problems include outdated equipment, poor water quality, dwindling groundwater supplies, population increase constraints, climatic changes in water supply, as well as the public desire for minimum-cost services.

4. Why is water conservation so essential?

Water conservation conserves fuel. Because it takes energy to purify, heat, as well as pump water into your house, minimising your water consumption also minimises overall carbon impact. Using less water conserves water but also helps to preserve wetland environments stocked with species such as otters, water small mammals, herons, as well as fish.

5. Who first found water?

While chemist Henry Cavendish (1731 - 1810) worked with hydrogen as well as oxygen or even combined these components to produce an emulsion, he identified the structure of water.