What is the function of H2O?

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Singh

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Hello,

I've been wondering for some time about the actual effects of water in the organism. I know that water has to be REPLACED due to its obligatory loss in perspiration and urin. This replacement is essential in order to keep blood pressure, osmotic differences etc.

Are there any other effects which I have overlooked?

Any suggestions?
 
Originally posted by Singh
Hello,

I've been wondering for some time about the actual effects of water in the organism. I know that water has to be REPLACED due to its obligatory loss in perspiration and urin. This replacement is essential in order to keep blood pressure, osmotic differences etc.

Are there any other effects which I have overlooked?

Any suggestions?
Solvating the half-million or so salts that are imperative to preserving life, and providing a liquid medium for biological reactions.
 
Maintaining conformations of proteins. Soluble AA units like water so the protein conforms to keep soluble units near water and insoluble units away from water.
 
H20 participates *directly* in many biochemcial reactions too.
 
What is the function of H2O?

it keeps things wet.
 
in addition to what others have said:

1. serves as temperature buffer due to its high specific heat
2. involved in catabolic processes
3. removed in anabolic processes
4. cushions against jarring movements of organs
5. dilutes otherwise toxic urine waste
6. helps to cool body with sweat
7. lungs have 100% relative humidity (water in vapor form) and are moist

umm, thats all i can add.
 
Joe Joe on da Radio H20 participates *directly* in many biochemcial reactions too.

Can you name any examples?
 
Or any of the diabolic ones, too.
 
Originally posted by Singh
Can you name any examples?

Remember that O2 is the final electron acceptor in the TCA cycle, converting itself to H20. So without the formation of water, ATP (in the way our body synthesizes it) would not be formed
 
Originally posted by medius
Remember that O2 is the final electron acceptor in the TCA cycle, converting itself to H20. So without the formation of water, ATP (in the way our body synthesizes it) would not be formed
Actually, that's one example I'm inclined to disagree with. Water is the end result of the ETS; in the specific context you're mentioning, it's oxygen that's necessary.

No point splitting hairs, though; I'm still trying to decide whether I even think the OP's question was earnest, as no-brain as it is.
 
water is the body's amphoteric univeral solvent and liquid medium.
 
Originally posted by mrmoran
water is the body's amphoteric univeral solvent and liquid medium.


I discovered a universal solvent once...was going to make millions. The only problem was....I couldnt find anything to put it in.
 
Originally posted by aphistis
Actually, that's one example I'm inclined to disagree with. Water is the end result of the ETS; in the specific context you're mentioning, it's oxygen that's necessary.

However, in the Krebs/TCA cycle water is necessary to convert fumarate to malate.
 
However, in the Krebs/TCA cycle water is necessary to convert fumarate to malate.

True. Water is also necessary for the conversion of Cis-Aconinat to Isocitrat.
 
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