Water is an essential resource that is vital in sustaining life on Earth. The importance of water stems from the numerous unique properties that make it an incredibly valuable substance.
First, water has excellent solvent properties, enabling it to dissolve many substances. Additionally, its boiling and freezing points enable it to exist naturally in three states – solid, liquid and gas – making it readily available. Water’s high specific heat allows it to absorb and release heat slowly, making it an effective regulator of environmental temperature.
Furthermore, its transparency allows light to reach submerged life forms, which is essential for the survival of aquatic plant life. Finally, water’s neutral pH of 7 makes it neither acidic nor basic, making it an ideal substance for many living organisms.
The importance of water
The importance of water in sustaining life cannot be overlooked, as all living things, including plants, animals and humans, need it. About 70% of the human body is made up of water, derived from the fluids we drink and the foods we eat.
Any living organism can survive for more than a week without access to water. Similarly, plants need water to survive, and the absence of water will cause them to die. The importance of water is fundamental for sustaining life as it is a vital element for the existence and growth of all living organisms.
Importance of Water in Living Organisms
Water is a basic element for the existence and growth of all living organisms. The importance of water for sustaining life can be seen in the following ways:
- Water plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of cells in living organisms. It is a primary component of cell membranes and its unique properties make it an ideal medium for many cellular processes.
- Water is an excellent solvent and is able to dissolve many substances, including nutrients and waste products. This makes it an essential component for the digestion and elimination of waste in living organisms.
- Water regulates body temperature and its high specific heat capacity makes it an effective coolant for living organisms. It can slowly absorb and release heat, thus helping to maintain a stable indoor environment.
- Water is essential for transporting nutrients and other molecules throughout the body. It acts as a medium for blood circulation and other body fluids.
- Finally, water is essential for the growth and reproduction of plants, which form the basis of many food chains. Without water, all life on Earth would cease to exist, making it one of the planet’s most important resources.
Read this also: How much water on earth is freshwater?
Importance of Water for Industrial uses
Water is a critical resource in industrial processes, and its importance cannot ignore. Here are four ways to use water in the industry:
- Water is an important component of energy production. It is used in power plants to produce steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity.
- Water is used as a coolant in many industrial processes such as oil refining and chemical manufacturing. This helps to regulate the temperature of the equipment and prevent damage from overheating.
- In manufacturing, water is used as a solvent for various chemicals and materials, such as the production of textiles and paper products.
- Water is used in many industries to transport raw materials and finished products. For example, waterways are used to transport bulk cargo such as grain and petroleum products.
Importance of Water in Human Beings
Water is essential for human life and is important in maintaining body functions. Here are some points to understand how water is important to humans life,
- Water plays an important role in regulating body temperature. The human body uses sweat to dissipate excess heat and without water, this cooling process would not be possible.
- Water is an important component of blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to cells and organs throughout the body. Adequate hydration is essential for healthy blood flow.
- Water is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system. It helps break down food and facilitates absorption of nutrients.
- Adequate hydration helps maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. Water is essential for collagen production, which is essential for healthy skin.
- Water is necessary to eliminate waste products from the body, including toxins and excess salt. Adequate hydration is essential for healthy kidney function.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What are the uses of water?
Here are ten common uses of water,
- Drinking and hydration – Water is essential for human survival, and we need to drink it daily to maintain our health.
- Cooking – Water is used in cooking to boil, steam, or simmer food.
- Agriculture – Water is vital for irrigating crops and ensuring food security.
- Industry – Water is used in manufacturing and production processes, such as cooling and cleaning machinery.
- Bathing and personal hygiene – Water is used for bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth, and other personal hygiene activities.
- Recreation – Water is used for swimming, fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.
- Power generation – Water is used to generate hydroelectric power in dams and power plants.
- Cleaning – Water is used for cleaning dishes, clothes, homes, and public spaces.
- Firefighting – Water is used to extinguish fires.
- Medical uses – Water is used in hospitals for various medical procedures, such as dialysis and sterilization.
