Essay on Water in the Biochemical Process - 1654 Words

Water is a vital part for the function of organisms, as it is involved in the â€Å"energetics† of molecular interactions and conformational adaption of macromolecules in animal and plant cells, due to its structure, flexibility and several unique properties (Rand, 2004). In an organism’s cell, various types of water are present. They are known as bound, hydration, vicinal and bulk water. 95% of watery body fluid is composed of bulk water, since they function as â€Å"space filling medium†, which supports life and creates an aqueous medium for cellular reactions (Watterson, 1987) . Water as a â€Å"space filling medium†, also aid to assemble molecules, hence they can â€Å"achieve a configuration of lower free energy† (Rand, 2004). Water’s effect on the†¦show more content†¦This dissociates to form H+ and HCO3 - , which acts as buffer in blood plasma, keeping the pH constant for efficient enzyme activity. The dissociation occurs, because water has a slight tendency to ionize (Brooker et al., 2007). Ionic substances, such as, enzymes and hormones dissolve in body fluids, causing the electrostatic attraction between them to decrease, thus increasing their solubility. In metabolic processes such as in a hydrolysis reaction, water acts as a reactant; where the electron-rich oxygen acts as a nucleophile. For example, hydrolysis of polysaccharides, e.g., sucrose, to form monosaccharides, e.g., fructose and glucose, and these are utilized by the body for various functions. Hydrolysis reaction releases energy so they are favourable, since the entropy of the system is increased. For instance, when energy is needed; water is required to hydrate ATP to release the energy. Water is also essential in oxidation-reduction reactions, e.g., respiration (Brooker et al., 2007). Water is a stable medium, for efficient enzyme activity, due to the properties that water molecules display, such as, high specific heat capacity and high heat of vaporization. This ensures that the temperatures are kept fairly constant in an organism, so the optimum temperature of the enzyme is maintained (Nelson, Cox Lehninger, 2008). During photosynthesis, water plays an important role as they donate electron, to electronShow MoreRelatedWater And Water : An Essential Constituent Of The Life On Earth1657 Words   |  7 PagesWater is a transparent fluid that makes up the bodies of water on the planet Earth and is a major vital constituent of the life on Earth. Water covers 71% of Earth’s surface, but the amount of freshwater is only 2.5% of this amount of water, and 98.8% of the freshwater is in ice and groundwater. Less than 0.3% of the entire freshwater is comprised within streams, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere (Gleick, 1993). This scarce fluid has been used for a variety of human uses, such as agriculture, drinkingRead MoreToxic Response of Biological System732 Words   |  3 Pageseven fall in blood pressure. Toxic responses can be detected in various ways, these responses may be the all-or-none type like death of organism or they can be graded responses. Therefore the means of detection can be de ath, pathological changes, biochemical change, physiological change and changes in the normal status of the biological systemss (Monsoon, 2010). Direct toxic action: tissue lesions refers to how Toxic compounds cause direct damage to tissues that leads to death of some or even allRead MoreDiarrhoea is the process of passing watery faeces, accompanied by symptoms such as stomach pains,600 Words   |  3 PagesDiarrhoea is the process of passing watery faeces, accompanied by symptoms such as stomach pains, nausea and vomiting (betterheath). It is very widespread, being experienced by lots of people several times a year and is usually easily treatable (webmd). However, not all cases of diarrhoea are as simple. In fact, some diarrhoeal cases are life-threatening, killing approximately 760 000 children under the age of five each year (WHO1). Responsible bacterium and its natural environment The bacteriumRead MoreIdentify The Identities Of Two Unknown Bacteria A Mixed Broth Culture By Using Several Separation Methods Essay1441 Words   |  6 Pages The results of the sugar test help determining which biochemical test should be performed next. The Gram positive organism was tested through a carbohydrate fermentation test, then further tested to confirm its identity through an indole and catalase test. The Gram negative organism was tested through carbohydrate fermentation test, then further tested to confirmed its identity through an indole, and TSIA test. After running four biochemical tests, the results conclude that the Gram positive unknownRead MoreThe Effect Of Orange Juice On The Germination Of Mung Bean Seeds967 Words   |  4 Pagesin the germination process of mung seeds in terms of germination rate and the length of roots over time. Introduction: Minute-made orange juice has a pH of 2.80. The acidity will have a negative effect on the germination of the seeds. Sour conditions decrease the germination rate of seeds. â€Å"The length of roots in a germinating seed is reduced by the acidic conditions, which, in its turn, affects the rate of germination of seeds (Lee 435)†. The seed membrane is permeable to water, which is necessaryRead MoreBioluminescence Is a very spectacular biological phenomena that occurs a lot more frequently then700 Words   |  3 Pagesgive off light by the processes know as bioluminescence. While this process rarely occurs on land, it is much more commonly occurring in the deep ocean where sunlight cannot reach. There are many different species of marine life that actually use this process concurrently in their everyday life. The following text will explain the processes at work behind this biochemical reaction, the types of organisms that actually use this process, what they use bioluminescence for, and finally specific places whereRead MoreThe Enzymatic Browning Of Apples1102 Words   |  5 Pagescatalyzes the reaction creating melanins (brown pigments) on the fruit. Soaking the apple slices in acetic acid, orange juice (ascorbic acid), tap water and calcium carbonate (alkaline) will affect the rate in which the apple slic es brown. The reduction of the browning is dependent on the Ph. levels of the soaking solutions, also soaking the apple slice in water will restrict the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the apple thus temporarily inhibiting the effects of the phenolase. UnderstandingRead MoreLab 2941 Words   |  4 Pagespoint)Negative e. Unknown 3 (1 point)Negative f. Unknown 4 (1 point)Positive 3. List whether each of the following substances was positive or negative for starch, as indicated by using iodine. (7 points) a. Onion juice (1 point) Negative b. Water (1 point) Negative c. Cornstarch (1 point) Positive d. Unknown 1 (1 point) Negative e. Unknown 2 (1 point)Positive f. Unknown 3 (1 point)Negative g. Unknown 4 (1 point)Negative 4. The Sudan III test has been performed for you. Please seeRead MoreFermentation of Carrot and Apple Juice839 Words   |  4 PagesTHEORY Louis Pasteur in 1860 demonstrated that fermentation is a purely physiological process carried out by living micro-organism like yeast. This view was abandoned in 1897 when Buchner demonstrated that yeast extract could bring about alcoholic fermentation in the absence of any yeast cells. He proposed that fermenting activity of yeast is due to active catalysts of biochemical origin. These biochemical catalyst are called enzymes. Enzymes are highly specific. A given enzyme acts on a specificRead MoreCellular Respiration And Its Effect On The Process Of Life1257 Words   |  6 Pagesto determine the importance of cellular respiration on the process of life. Respiration is process that take place in cell to convert the biochemical energy to ATP. In this activity two sets of experiments are performed to determine the rate of cellular respiration by measuring the amount of CO2 in fermentation tube. Larger the rate of cellular respiration, larger will be the amount of gas produced. To conduct the experiment yeast and water were added together at first. Yeast mixture was poured into