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The Importance of Water and Diffusion in Biology

Learn about the essential role of water in transporting materials and maintaining homeostasis, as well as the process of diffusion in living systems. Understand how water's polarity and diffusion help organisms function effectively.

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The Importance of Water and Diffusion in Biology

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  1. 6.2 Water and Diffusion Martin a.k.a. Tha’ Boss!

  2. THE POLAR WATER MOLECULE

  3. I. WATER AND IT’S IMPORTANCE • Water dissolves things • Water can help transport things into organisms • Blood and sap (mainly H2O) transport things in animals and trees.

  4. I. WATER AND IT’S IMPORTANCE • A. Water is Polar • Hydrogen side has a net “positive” charge • Oxygen side has a net “negative” charge • This gives the molecule a positive and negative end • Allows it to attract other positive or negative ions • Such as Na+ or Cl- • Polar molecule: a molecule with an unequal distribution of charge (has a positive end and negative end)

  5. I. WATER AND IT’S IMPORTANCE • A. Water is Polar • Polar molecules attract polar molecules • hydrogen bonds: opposite charges between hydrogen and oxygen • Occurs between water molecules • Water can creep up thin tubes in a motion called “capillary action” • Used in plants to get water to leaves

  6. I. WATER AND IT’S IMPORTANCE • B. Water resists temperature changes • Very important in helping maintain homeostasis • Good insulator for humans • Humans made mainly of animal cells, and cell are over 70-90% water

  7. II. DIFFUSION • A. Early observations: “Brownian motion” • First observed in grains of pollen suspended in water (using a microscope) • Robert Brown noticed that the pollen was “constantly” moving in a random nature with no explanation • Can be seen in gases, liquids, and some solids

  8. II. DIFFUSION • B. The Process of Diffusion • Diffusion: the net movement of dissolved particles (solutes) from higher concentration to lower concentration • Caused by “Brownian motion” • Is a very slow process

  9. II. DIFFUSION • B. The Process of Diffusion • 3 Things that affect how fast diffusion occurs • Concentration (most important factor) • Temperature • Pressure • Increase in any of the above, will increase how fast diffusion of solutes will happen

  10. II. DIFFUSION • C. The Results of Diffusion • Molecules will reach a “homeostasis” point • However, molecules will be equally moving in a cell, and equally moving out at the same rate • Dynamic equilibrium: point in which there is continuous movement of materials in and out of a cell, but no net change in concentration

  11. II. DIFFUSION • D. Diffusion in Living Systems • Concentration gradient: differences in concentrations across space • Diffusion occurs in all living things to move things in and out of their cells • Cells are most surrounded by water. Cells are mostly water inside as well • Oxygen also diffuses into the air sacs in the lungs (part of the reason why we breathe)

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