Why Is Water Vital to Life

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Why is water vital for life? Water (H2O) is vital in the existence in both human life and the ecosystem. According to experts, humans can survive for a few weeks without eating, but only a few days without water. Water is essential to our daily activities as we rely on water for a myriad of uses (e.g. drinking; cooking; bathing; washing, cleaning; and recreation.) Water is crucial to the environment as it helps to regulate temperatures of both land and sea, creating a healthy environment for all to enjoy. Water also affects weather and climate creating clouds, which cause rain, snow, or hail. Let us not forget plants as they deserve appreciation for producing breathable air and without water plants would not exist. Plants and animals need water to survive, so of course; without water, marine and aquatic life would be impossible. What is the common theme in water’s important characteristics? Water is the most common substance on Earth, and is a crucial necessity of human life. Many a times water is often taken for granted and given little thought. However, in fact, water is a remarkable substance with a myriad of unusual chemical properties. These characteristics of water have made it crucial to life on Earth, and perhaps on other planets as well. Water is made up of countless number of molecules binding together to form what we know today as the universal solvent. A single water molecule is comprised of two units of hydrogen atoms and one unit of oxygen atom (hence, the chemical formula H2O is derived). This answers the question on the components of water: water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, but in proportion; one unit of oxygen for every two units of hydrogen. Water is a superb solvent. Its ability to dissolve other substances is important to the ecosystem. Water is used to transport nutrients and minerals to cells. It is also used for digesting and

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