Both the planet and living beings are made up of a large amount of water. The oceans represent about 97% of the earth's surface. The Importance of Water for Living Beings is that this resource is vital for carrying out biological processes. Water in humans represents almost two thirds of the body weight. I invite you to learn more about the Importance of Water for Living Beings.
Importance of Water for Living Beings
Water is found in various organs of human beings, such as the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, as well as other organs and tissues. It represents a main element for carrying out digestion and also for the absorption and elimination of metabolic residues that cannot be assimilated. It is part of the structure of the circulatory system and through the blood it carries nutrients and minerals throughout the body. Consuming the right amount of water helps to hydrate the body and regulate somatic temperature, allowing it to come out through perspiration through body sweat.
Functions of water in the body
Water is vital for living beings, fulfilling four functions such as: regulating body temperature, carrying nutrients and oxygen, helping detoxify, lubricating joints, quenching thirst and other properties that living beings must know to take in enough water that the body requires for its proper functioning.
Regulates body temperature
Water is involved in the process of lowering body temperature when the temperature of the external environment increases. This process of releasing heat is carried out by the perspiration of water from the body. During some sports activity or a day with high temperatures, a human being can release heat, when he loses up to 1,5 liters of sweat per hour. A protection mechanism of human beings is the metabolic process that occurs when the environmental temperature is very high, and it is that the blood leaves the most superficial capillaries of the skin in order to keep the skin cool.
Carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body
Water is involved in the biochemical processes of digestion, contributing to the breakdown of food. Likewise, water contributes to the circulatory system, by transporting nutrients (minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and glucose) and oxygen to the different cells of the body. Blood plasma is made up of 91% water.
detoxifies the body
Just as the water that makes up the blood transports nutrients and oxygen, the circulatory system absorbs the substances that the cells discard, so that they are expelled through urine and feces and also through sweat. In addition, water helps the proper functioning of the kidneys, which are the body's organs that filter toxins.
Helps lubricate joints
Water is important for living beings, because it also helps lubricate the joints so that they work more easily. It is suggested to consume enough water to avoid the appearance of injuries and arthritis. Likewise, water helps protect the bones because it acts as a shock absorber and protector of the bones and the spine against trauma, and also of other organs of the body of living beings such as the brain, the marrow and the eyes.
Balance of water entering and leaving
Living organisms are constantly incorporating and eliminating water from the body, one of the important functions of the body is to ensure that this process remains balanced. Because the body does not have an organ to store water, it is important to constantly drink enough water to restore the amounts of water that is lost. It is easier for the human body to go without food for several days, but this will be for a very short time if you do not consume water.
Living beings are suggested to incorporate between 1,5 to 3 liters of water daily. 50% of this water would be incorporated through beverages and solid foods. Through the intake of fruits and other vegetables, which are made up of 95% water, eggs, which are 90% water, and red meat and fish, which are made up of 60 to 70% water.
quench thirst
The hypothalamus, which is one of the regions of the brain, is in charge of indicating if the concentration of blood plasma increases, this means that the body has little water level and is dehydrating. It is when the brain emits a series of signals or stimuli to cause thirst. Also, dry mouth due to lack of saliva is an indicator that you have to drink water. A human being can go up to five days without drinking water.
The properties of water
Water has the property that makes it important for life, for its different functions in the chemistry, biochemistry and biology of living beings, and for its diverse properties. Its physical properties have to do with its thermal properties and its chemical properties have to do with how it reacts with other substances.
Water is a solvent
One of the properties of water is its behavior as a solvent. This means that many substances and solids can be dissolved in water to form solutions. Through water many vital molecules and other particles are transported throughout the body. These materials can be nutrients and waste products that originate from the body's metabolic processes.
movement of water molecules
The water in the organisms allows the mobilization of some particles and molecules such as ions, which are transported by the blood to the tissues and membranes. This can be achieved through solutions. For example, the transport of oxygen through the blood throughout the entire vascular system.
water in chemical reactions
In chemical reactions, the reagents interrelate with each other or through a compound or substance that acts as a catalyst. Solutions are generally good at driving reactions because solvents, like water, encapsulate solutes that have the potential to behave as reagents if there is a chance of reacting with each other. This occurs when two or more reacting elements are in the same solution and collide and cause a reaction.
Reactions between reacting substances depend on several factors, such as the concentration of solutes, the temperature of the solution, and the presence of a catalyst for the reaction.
In the body, water molecules participate in the processing of carbohydrates and proteins during the digestive process. In these cases, the water molecules take part in the decomposition reactions in which some molecules are divided into small parts. Similarly, water is produced during reactions of some organic compounds that associate to form larger molecules with more complex structures. That the body needs it to perform some specific functions such as forming nucleic acids and hormones.
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