by Molly Sargen
figures by Daniel Utter
Water makes up 60-75% of human body weight. A loss of just 4% of total body water leads to dehydration, and a loss of 15% can be fatal. Likewise, a person could survive a month without food but wouldn’t survive 3 days without water. This crucial dependence on water broadly governs all life forms. Clearly water is vital for survival, but what makes it so necessary?
The Molecular Make-up of Water
Many of water’s roles in supporting life are due to its molecular structure and a few special properties. Water is a simple molecule composed of two small, positively charged hydrogen atoms and one large negatively charged oxygen atom. When the hydrogens bind to the oxygen, it creates an asymmetrical molecule with positive charge on one side and negative charge on the other side (Figure 1). This charge differential is called polarity and dictates how water interacts with other molecules.
Water is the “Universal Solvent”
As a polar molecule, water interacts best with other polar molecules, such as itself. This is because of the phenomenon wherein opposite charges attract one another: because each individual water molecule has both a negative portion and a positive portion, each side is attracted to molecules of the opposite charge. This attraction allows water to form relatively strong connections, called bonds, with other polar molecules around it, including other water molecules. In this case, the positive hydrogen of one water molecule will bond with the negative oxygen of the adjacent molecule, whose own hydrogens are attracted to the next oxygen, and so on (Figure 1). Importantly, this bonding makes water molecules stick together in a property called cohesion. The cohesion of water molecules helps plants take up water at their roots. Cohesion also contributes to water’s high boiling point, which helps animals regulate body temperature.
Furthermore, since most biological molecules have some electrical asymmetry, they too are polar and water molecules can form bonds with and surround both their positive and negative regions. In the act of surrounding the polar molecules of another substance, water wriggles its way into all the nooks and crannies between molecules, effectively breaking it apart are dissolving it. This is what happens when you put sugar crystals into water: both water and sugar are polar, allowing individual water molecules to surround individual sugar molecules, breaking apart the sugar and dissolving it. Similar to polarity, some molecules are made of ions, or oppositely charged particles. Water breaks apart these ionic molecules as well by interacting with both the positively and negatively charged particles. This is what happens when you put salt in water, because salt is composed of sodium and chloride ions.
Water’s extensive capability to dissolve a variety of molecules has earned it the designation of “universal solvent,” and it is this ability that makes water such an invaluable life-sustaining force. On a biological level, water’s role as a solvent helps cells transport and use substances like oxygen or nutrients. Water-based solutions like blood help carry molecules to the necessary locations. Thus, water’s role as a solvent facilitates the transport of molecules like oxygen for respiration and has a major impact on the ability of drugs to reach their targets in the body.
Water Supports Cellular Structure
Water also has an important structural role in biology. Visually, water fills cells to help maintain shape and structure (Figure 2). The water inside many cells (including those that make up the human body) creates pressure that opposes external forces, similar to putting air in a balloon. However, even some plants, which can maintain their cell structure without water, still require water to survive. Water allows everything inside cells to have the right shape at the molecular level. As shape is critical for biochemical processes, this is also one of water’s most important roles.
Water also contributes to the formation of membranes surrounding cells. Every cell on Earth is surrounded by a membrane, most of which are formed by two layers of molecules called phospholipids (Figure 3). The phospholipids, like water, have two distinct components: a polar “head” and a nonpolar “tail.” Due to this, the polar heads interact with water, while the nonpolar tails try to avoid water and interact with each other instead. Seeking these favorable interactions, phospholipids spontaneously form bilayers with the heads facing outward towards the surrounding water and the tails facing inward, excluding water. The bilayer surrounds cells and selectively allows substances like salts and nutrients to enter and exit the cell. The interactions involved in forming the membrane are strong enough that the membranes form spontaneously and aren’t easily disrupted. Without water, cell membranes would lack structure, and without proper membrane structure, cells would be unable to keep important molecules inside the cell and harmful molecules outside the cell.
In addition to influencing the overall shape of cells, water also impacts some fundamental components of every cell: DNA and proteins. Proteins are produced as a long chain of building blocks called amino acids and need to fold into a specific shape to function correctly. Water drives the folding of amino acid chains as different types of amino acids seek and avoid interacting with water. Proteins provide structure, receive signals, and catalyze chemical reactions in the cell. In this way, proteins are the workhorses of cells. Ultimately proteins drive contraction of muscles, communication, digestion of nutrients, and many other vital functions. Without the proper shape, proteins would be unable to perform these functions and a cell (let alone an entire human) could not survive. Similarly, DNA needs to be in a specific shape for its instructions to be properly decoded. Proteins that read or copy DNA can only bind DNA that has a particular shape. Water molecules surround DNA in an ordered fashion to support its characteristic double-helix conformation. Without this shape, cells would be unable to follow the careful instructions encoded by DNA or to pass the instructions onto future cells, making human growth, reproduction, and, ultimately, survival infeasible .
Chemical Reactions of Water
Water is directly involved in many chemical reactions to build and break down important components of the cell. Photosynthesis, the process in plants that creates sugars for all life forms, requires water. Water also participates in building larger molecules in cells. Molecules like DNA and proteins are made of repetitive units of smaller molecules. Putting these small molecules together occurs through a reaction that produces water. Conversely, water is required for the reverse reaction that breaks down these molecules, allowing cells to obtain nutrients or repurpose pieces of big molecules.
Additionally, water buffers cells from the dangerous effects of acids and bases. Highly acidic or basic substances, like bleach or hydrochloric acid, are corrosive to even the most durable materials. This is because acids and bases release excess hydrogens or take up excess hydrogens, respectively, from the surrounding materials. Losing or gaining positively-charged hydrogens disrupts the structure of molecules. As we’ve learned, proteins require a specific structure to function properly, so it’s important to protect them from acids and bases. Water does this by acting as both an acid and a base (Figure 4). Although the chemical bonds within a water molecule are very stable, it’s possible for a water molecule to give up a hydrogen and become OH–, thus acting as a base, or accept another hydrogen and become H3O+, thus acting as an acid. This adaptability allows water to combat drastic changes of pH due to acidic or basic substances in the body in a process called buffering. Ultimately, this protects proteins and other molecules in the cell.
In conclusion, water is vital for all life. Its versatility and adaptability help perform important chemical reactions. Its simple molecular structure helps maintain important shapes for cells’ inner components and outer membrane. No other molecule matches water when it comes to unique properties that support life. Excitingly, researchers continue to establish new properties of water such as additional effects of its asymmetrical structure. Scientists have yet to determine the physiological impacts of these properties. It’s amazing how a simple molecule is universally important for organisms with diverse needs.
Molly Sargen is a first-year PhD Student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program at Harvard Medical School.
Dan Utter is a fifth-year PhD student in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.
For More Information:
- To learn more about the importance of drug solubility see this article.
- Check out these articles for more information about proteins and how water impacts their folding.
- Learn more about phospholipids here.
- Learn more about water affects DNA structure here.
- Learn more about acids and bases here.
- Check out the unique properties of water at this page or recently discovered properties of water at this article.
This article is part of our special edition on water. To read more, check out our special edition homepage!
what happens if living things don’t drink water?
whos gonna tell em
you should have given more explanation on this
What are the biological serves of water fore animals.
Broke ahh bitch, no money at Harvard💀, spent all ur money on textbooks💀
Don’t discourage them they worked hard on this and clearly put a lot of effort into it, it explains the topic really well
If “living things” don’t drink water, they become dehydrated and if they become more dehydrated without access to a source of fluids on time, (e.g. drinking water) they will die.
Water is the integral part of the living things life and also water is the basic need so if living things don’t drink water the will die automatically after two to three days
they die if they don’t drink duh
BE NICE BISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His answer was concise and polite. Simply, it was your interpretation that took offense.
shut up Ella. She was nice, not like you ._.
Plus saying “bish” is offensive so you are the mean girly here
Just stop trolling
To put it simply, they die
Water is a universal solute solvent due to which water all components of nutrients are generally soluble in water carries all substances inside the body from parts to another parts . So, water is essential for living organisms.
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girl they die???
fr girl like do they not know the basiscs🙄☝️
Hi I don’t like that pls don’t
dont what?? Explain yourself ._. Plus if you’re saying @beidou is mean you’re wrong, the mean person here is you. Why did you even say that @lanc is a “bish”? Bruh. If you’re going to insult people, which is bad in my opinion, at least use something called “grammar”. I hope you know what it means-
Well, since water is needed for several critical roles in maintaining the process of life, it is safe to say that eventually, the living thing would be dehydrated and then die. The causal chain that leads to this might look like this:
1. Water restriction
2. Decreased volume
3. Blood pressure gets low
4. Cells do not get enough perfusion which translates into anaerobic metabolism with the production of lactic acid.
5. pH gets lower
6. Metabolic pathways start dysfunctioning due to their dependence on pH and concentration of solutes.
7. Cell structure changes as well as its function
8. Systems dysfunction: the heart doesn´t pump strongly enough, central nervous system conductivity decreases
9. Multiorgan failure, coma, or cardiorespiratory arrest.
10. Death
WOW YOU ARE SMART DO YOU GO TO CURCH
Yes, the church of satan. Praise heathenry.
So you’re saying that if @Miguel Lozanos doesn’t go to church he’s dumb? I’m allucinating. How do you even know he’s christian? He may not belong to that religion.
(I’m saying this to Ella lol)
@Miguel Lozano –
Thank you for the detailed response to what seem to be a silly question… Interesting read.
Wowww 🤩, I hope I can detail things as possible as this.
they have constipation
love your name bro… its just Chefs ~Kiss~
When the cytoplasm water concentration decrease below 10% the cell dead .
This there is no life without water.
In my opinion this may leads to dehydration and in severe condition,it can be fatal to body due to several internal reasons like, unavailability of water for filtration, enzymatic action, osmoregulation,transport and many such precesses depends upon availability of water .
Think about a plant, if a plant is not given any water it shrivels up, dehydrates, and dies.
That’s a great example!
you’ll be dead but you wont be needing any water
Thank for sharing this precious article.
It’s very impressive as it show us how usefulness is water in every aspect of life .
If so for sure we would be a life. The fact is, water is basic requirement for every living organisms on earth .
As we all know our cell contain 60% of water .
In all life depend on water no doubt
you become deceased
they will become dehydrated and their cells will all collapse and they will all die so in simple terms yes they will die.
u will die because u need water
Dehydration may take place,and the body system might lose it’s state of equilibrium.
They die of dehydration.
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Of course, they will die.
Assuming that you’re referring to the things that SHOULD be drinking water regularly, they will likely suffer from hyponatremia. In textbooks this is usually depicted by the spiky looking cells.
The die , that’s according to my knowledge
La bro bro, they die.
depends on what the living thing is.
Awesome article
Awesome comment
Awesome reply!!!!!
Awesome reply to @obro’s reply!!! lol let’s continue the chain!
Amazing! That kind of article you have to study, not only to read. That’s what I am doing! Thank you
Great article, thank you!
thanks dear ..
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Please response
Nice ….it’s easier for me to understand…thank you so much..
The presence of extra-ordinary quantity of fluids in living bodies is one of the most poorly understood aspects in life science. I agree with the authors on the “Biological roles of water….”.
Only observation, I wish to make that all bio-particles are required to be under neutral buoyancy to be estranged from major external gravitational fields to remain as living and not inert.
The authors may go through the paper “Biological Phenomena Mimic Astrophysical Principles Of Gravitation – Opening Perspective”. https://www.academia.edu/38265683/Biological_Phenomena_Mimic_Astrophysical_Principles_of_Gravitation_Opening_Perspective_2018_. https://ijamsr.com/issues/6_Volume%201_Issue%206/20180904_041940_1.pdf: https://doi.org/10.31426/ijamsr.2018.1.6.611
this is super kinda sussy
Thank you so much for these vast information that I can use for my class
Since the ocean covers 70% of the earth’s surface,do you think the ocean is a threat to the earth?.If yes,why?.If no,why?.Please kindly answer my question,anyone.Thank you.
No. Because the body of the ocean has its own attractive force. This keeps it together unless disrupted by different forces eg., winds , man-made creation i.e nucler fission .
Thanks For Sharing the Amazing Article, this is such an informative post. I want to bookmark your post for my friend’s circle. kindly write another article on this topic for me and friends so I will forward your article thanks again for this great post.
Newton was a genius to reason why apples fall down toward the ground, due to gravitational force. But, he was not enough of a genius to reason why the tree and the apples on it have grown UPWARD, in the opposite direction.
He did not know about the cohesive and adhesive properties of this miraculous molecule, the water molecule!
He also lived before plubing was invented, I don’t think you can really fault the guy.
thank you so much for this article helped me understand in depth the significance of water
Wow thank you. This article is very helpful and building.
awesome………………………….
Awesome thank you it really helped 😊
Water is a solvent that facilitates the transport of molecules like oxygen for respiration and removing waste from the body.
Thank you so much for these vast information that I can use for my class
I like it l am really glad to have luckly found such useful information
Water is an integral part of life, without it life would end.
Biologists have their own century old dictionary. It is really difficult for them to understand/ visualize the physical buoyant property of fluid. Up thrust or buoyant property is connected with gravitation. Depth of fluid is important parameter. Desired depth of fluid to float require optimum quantity of liquid having adequate density. A small quantity of fluid is required for carrying the job of solvent. Why then such large quantity of fluid is essential for living ? Try to understand the reality. ” Apart from solvent role, all bio-particles are required to be under neutral buoyancy to be estranged from major external gravitational fields to remain as living .” Sooner the biologists change their viewing angle, earlier they will be able to solve the puzzle. So change your viewing angle first. Consider the buoyant property of fluid on priority.
well if gravity is such a problem then why aren’t there any space rodents causing issues for the ISS?
Pardon my earlier rudeness.
If I am not mistaken, the article covers this topic of gravity briefly. In the segment “Water Supports Cellular Structure”, the author comments on water giving structure and stability to the cell to help avoid being folded by ‘external forces’ (A.K.A. gravity). With this in mind, it is of reasonable thought that I state your opinion of biologists being unable to comprehend the effects of fluid in the human body to be lackluster and unfounded.
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Water gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements, water keeps your temperature normal, and water lubricates and cushions your joints. Water is also critical for your heart health. Your heart is constantly working, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood a day. By staying hydrated – that is, by drinking more water than you are losing – you are helping your heart do its job.
Great article you shared, Thanks for share such type of precious article.
The info which useful
article good. very thankful
Rain rain go away
Come again another day
Little Johnny wants to play
Rain rain go to Spain
Never show your face again
Goofy ahh poem💀
my ass hurts ahhhhhhh
it’s ok you can fight through this😔✊
Please stop with your demonic lies. That’s your program to keep the slaves enslaved. I fasted for 40 days without food and without water. I’m alive and healthier than ever. I can tell you that soon after my fast the “pandemic” started. That’s the first plague with more to come. You people are all DEMONIC with your capitalism aka slavery!!!!!!!! May the curse be upon all you evildoers!!!!!!!!
If you would like an 80 day fast no food no water under observation just let me know. I’ll prove you all wrong wrong wrong!!!!!!!!
Troll and liar! Seek help!
Your right I admire you.
I want what ever you’re on
This is funny. LMAO
fr like this whole article is stuff we already know🤦
Say what…What are you even saying… ;-;
Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Water gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements, water keeps your temperature normal, and water lubricates and cushions your joints. I have read your writings and I have read articles on this topic in several articles from other sources. I got a lot of information from your writing, is there any other suggestions you can convey regarding the theme of your writing? so that I can get more and more complete information.
“is there any other suggestions you can convey regarding the theme of your writing”
It is a science article, there is no theme, only science. god is dead <3
Great article. So spot on!
tahnks for sharing this information
OMG!!! DO YOU KNOW A GRACIE MOORE
If Capitalism is slavery:
1. How did slavery end in England?
2. Is Communism any better?
3. Are homeless people enslaved, or are they free?
4. Are the wealthy bound to stay in Capitalism, or are they the captors of the poor?
5. How would selling products made by hand from land that was owned by your family for generations since the dawn of your country be slavery if your family owned and operated on the land ever since?
6. Who’s fault would it be, the country that employs Capitalism, or the companies that benefit and maintain the cycle?
> Conversely, water is required for the reverse reaction that breaks down these molecules, allowing cells to obtain nutrients or repurpose pieces of big molecules.
What are the names of these reactions? I’m curious which body processes actually use water as a reactant
People build cities in places where rain is abundant, then they complain about how the rain disrupts their outdoor plans.
i like water so tasty yum yum
I agree with this political statement
Water is a key ingredient to life but sadly its running out due to human pollution which fills the rivers with microplastic.
water is the important factor of our life and much important for body. we should use pure and filtered water for good health.
Waters role as a solvent helps transport and use substances like oxygen or nutrients.
Water is a universal solvent
These days, there is no value of a piece of content that is not interesting to read, that is not unique and that is not rich in information. I suppose, this piece of content has it all. It is well-written; it is interesting and definitely unique. The information that is given is more than enough for people to inform themselves on the respective topic. One more mention, I loved the headline too!
thanks for your infomation. water very important in our life ..
water is the important factor of our life and much important for body. we should use pure and filtered water for good health.
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Water is life. It is a precondition for human, animal and plant life as well as an indispensable resource for the economy. Water also plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle.
Everything in here are very clear
Because there nothing we can do in life without water
Water is very important for living beings such as humans,animals, plants, and all living creatures.
They actin like we don’t already know that we need water to survive.🙄
The most relevant information I found on biological roles of water, I will also share it with my peers as well.
Keep The Good Content Coming
Of course, they will die because of the common sense gravity using the theory of relativity by Stephen Newton.
Many of water’s roles in supporting life are due to its molecular structure and a few special properties.
Woah, this is something amazing that you have shared here.
The most relevant information I found on biological roles of water, I will also share it with my peers as well. Thank you for sharing this information.
I think this is very special.
Many of water’s roles in supporting life are due to its molecular structure and a few special properties.
Why is water necessary for life?