What is the role of water in the human cell?

Literally since childhood, every person knows that water plays a very important role for us. Hygiene, cleaning, drinking - each of these inalienable elements of life is connected with water. Gradually studying the world, the child learns about the role of water in the cell. Perhaps, only from this moment it becomes clear how great its importance is: without water life itself is inconceivable. Due to its properties it makes possible the functioning of complex organisms.

The structure of the molecule

The role of water in the life of a cell is directly related to the characteristics of its structure. Everyone knows the formula of the main fluid of our body. Each molecule of water consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. They are united in a single whole due to polar covalent bonds, based on the formation of a common electron pair for two atoms. A characteristic feature of water molecules is its electrical asymmetry. The atom of oxygen is more electronegative, it attracts electrons of hydrogen atoms more strongly. The consequence of this is the displacement of the general pairs of electrons toward the oxygen atom.

Dipole

The role of water in the cell depends on the characteristics of the substance. As a result of the displacement of the total pair of electrons, it acquires a polarization. For the water molecule is characterized by the presence of two poles: each hydrogen atom has a partially positive charge, and oxygen - a partially negative. Together they create a neutral molecule.

Thus, each structural unit of water is a dipole. The peculiarity of the structure of the molecule determines the nature of the relationship between neighboring structures. A partially negative oxygen atom is attracted by the hydrogen atoms of other molecules. The so-called hydrogen bonds form between them. Each molecule of water tends to contact this way with four of its neighbors. All the nuances of the structure mentioned determine the biological role of water in the cell.

Features

Hydrogen bonds, characteristic of water molecules, determine many of its properties. The connections between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms are particularly strong, that is, in order to break them, it is necessary to expend an impressive amount of energy. As a result, water has a high boiling point, as well as melting and vaporization. Among similar substances, water is the only substance present on the Earth simultaneously in three aggregate states. The role of water in the cell is based on this particular feature.

Interaction with hydrophilic substances

The inherent ability of the water particles to form hydrogen bonds allows the main body fluid to dissolve many compounds. Such substances are called hydrophilic, that is, "friendly" to water. These include ionic compounds: salts, bases and acids. The number of hydrophilic substances includes non-ionic compounds with a polarity. Their molecules contain charged groups. These are amino acids, sugars, simple alcohols and some other compounds.
The role of water in the vital activity of a cell is reduced to the creation of an environment necessary for the acceleration of all reactions. The solution is a state of the substance in which all its molecules can move much more freely, that is, the ability to react is much higher than in the usual form.

Thanks to such properties, water has become the main medium for the flow of the vast majority of chemical reactions. Moreover, for example, hydrolysis and the whole set of oxidation-reduction processes are carried out only with the direct participation of the main fluid of the cell.

Reagent

The huge role of water in the life of the cell is undeniable. It participates in all important processes. For example, water is necessary for photosynthesis. One of its stages, the photolysis of water, is to separate the hydrogen atoms and incorporate them into the resulting organic compounds. At the same time, liberated oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

The role of water in the human and animal cells is associated with the already mentioned hydrolysis, the destruction of substances with the addition of water. One of the most important reactions of this kind in the cell is the decomposition of the ATP molecule, which occurs with the release of energy, which is used for other vital processes.

Interaction with hydrophobic substances

Some proteins, as well as fats and nucleic acids do not dissolve in water at all, or this process is very difficult. Such substances are called hydrophobic, that is, "fearful" water. The role of water in the cell and the body is also related to its interaction with similar compounds.

Water molecules are capable of separating hydrophobic substances from the liquid itself. As a result, so-called interface surfaces are formed. Many chemical reactions are carried out on them. So, it is through the interaction of phospholipids, which make up the cell membrane, that a lipid bilayer forms with water.

Heat capacity

The biological role of water in the cell also lies in its participation in thermoregulation. The heat capacity of water is high enough. This means that when an impressive amount of thermal energy is absorbed, the temperature of the water changes insignificantly. This characteristic helps maintain a constant temperature inside the cell, which is necessary for the normal flow of many processes and maintaining the constancy of the internal environment.

Uniform heat distribution

Another characteristic feature of water is thermal conductivity. It also helps maintain the continuity of the internal environment. Water can carry an impressive amount of heat from the site of the body, where it is in an overabundance, to those cells and tissues that lack it.

In addition, thermoregulation is also carried out by evaporation of water. Cooling is due to the fact that during the transition from one aggregate state to another, hydrogen bonds must be destroyed. And for this, as already mentioned, more energy is required.

Hydrostatic skeleton

The role of water in the life of the cell does not end there. The main body fluid has one more property: it practically does not contract. This characteristic allows water to play the role of a hydrostatic skeleton in a cell. Water creates turgor pressure, thereby determining the properties of cells and tissues, such as bulk and elasticity. It is easy to understand the role of water in the cell in this sense, if you look at the trees. The habitual form of leaves is created due to increased pressure in the cells. There are a lot of similar examples in the organic world. For example, the familiar form of jellyfish or roundworms is also supported by a hydrostatic skeleton. The loss of water by cells, respectively, leads to reverse processes. The shape changes: the leaves fade, the fruits wrinkle, the skin loses its elasticity.

Participation in the transport of substances

Water molecules with hydrogen bonds are able to connect not only with each other, but also with other substances. As a result of this interaction, surface tension appears , which plays a significant role in the transport of substances in the body. So, the effect of cohesion (the adhesion of molecules under the action of the force of attraction, and in the case of water - through hydrogen bonds) is the movement of nutrients in the capillaries of plants. Thanks to this same property, water enters the plant from the soil through the root hairs.

Also, the strength of surface tension makes capillary blood flow possible in animals and humans. Water participates in the movement of substances and the removal of decay products from the body.

It turns out that the answer to the question "what is the role of water in the cell?" Is quite unambiguous - it is huge. Due to the basic properties of the molecular structure of this liquid, all the basic processes are possible, without which life is inconceivable. Water contributes to the increase in the reactivity of substances, supports the shape of cells and organs, participates in their provision with all necessary, is part of many chemical reactions. Water is the source of life and it is definitely not a metaphor. All the main processes of metabolism are related to it, it also underlies the interaction of various compounds. It is because of these properties that water is the substance that is sought primarily during the exploration of other planets in an attempt to understand whether they are suitable for life.