Module: Water as a Biochemical Solvent
Introduction
Water is the most abundant and essential molecule in living organisms, constituting up to 70-90% of the total body mass
in many species. It serves as the universal solvent in biochemical systems, enabling numerous physiological and chemical
processes crucial for life. Understanding the properties of water and its role as a solvent is fundamental to the study of
biochemistry.
Objectives
By the end of this module, students will:
1. Understand the structure and unique properties of water.
2. Learn why water is considered the universal solvent.
3. Explore the biochemical significance of water in cellular processes.
4. Recognize the interactions between water and various biomolecules.
Structure and Properties of Water
1. Molecular Structure:
o Water (H₂O) is a polar molecule (equal distribution of its electron density).
o It consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom.
o The oxygen atom's higher electronegativity creates a partial negative charge near it and partial positive
charges near the hydrogens.
2. Key Properties:
o Polarity: Water molecules have a dipole moment due to their asymmetrical charge distribution.
o Hydrogen Bonding: Each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds, contributing to water’s
high boiling point, melting point, and surface tension.
o Cohesion and Adhesion: These properties facilitate capillary action and the movement of water in
biological systems.
Cohesion-The tendency of water molecules to stick to other water molecules. Cohesion is
responsible for surface tension, which is the tendency of a liquid's surface to resist breaking.
Cohesion also causes water to form spherical droplets and raindrops.
Adhesion-The tendency of water molecules to stick to other substances. Adhesion allows water to
stick to windows and other substances.
o High Specific Heat: Allows water to regulate temperature in organisms and environments.
o High Heat of Vaporization: Enables evaporative cooling in organisms.
Water as a Universal Solvent
1. Dissolution Process:
o Water's polarity allows it to interact with and dissolve ionic compounds (e.g., NaCl) by surrounding ions
and separating them.
o It also dissolves polar molecules (e.g., sugars) by forming hydrogen bonds.
2. Hydration Shell Formation:
o Water molecules form hydration shells around
ions and polar molecules, stabilizing them in solution.
3. Poor Solvent for Nonpolar Molecules:
o Nonpolar molecules, such as lipids, do not dissolve in water because they cannot form favorable
interactions. Instead, they aggregate, leading to hydrophobic effects crucial for cell membrane formation.
Biochemical Significance
1. Role in Metabolic Reactions:
o Water participates directly in hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
Hydrolysis: Breaking down biomolecules (e.g., proteins into amino acids).
Condensation: Joining monomers to form polymers (e.g., peptide bond formation).
o Acts as a reactant or product in many enzymatic reactions.
2. Medium for Transport:
o Water dissolves essential nutrients, gases, and waste products, facilitating their transport within organisms
(e.g., blood plasma in humans). Water is a key component of blood, which transports nutrients, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, and waste throughout the body. Water's solvent properties allow substances to dissolve in
it, making them easier to transport. The percentage of water in the human body varies by age, gender, and
location. For example, babies are about 78% water at birth, while adult men are about 60% water and
adult women are about 55% water
3. pH Buffering and Ionization:
o Water acts as a buffer in the body by protecting cells from the harmful effects of acids and bases. It does
this by releasing or accepting hydrogen atoms, which allows it to combat drastic changes in pH . Water
ionizes into H⁺ and OH⁻, contributing to the maintenance of pH and acting as a medium for acid-base
reactions.
If the body's pH is outside the normal range of 6.8–7.8, the following can happen:
Enzymes and proteins stop working
The respiratory system malfunctions
Other organs malfunction
Cells stop functioning
Proteins break down
The body can experience coma or death
4. Stabilization of Biomolecules:
o Hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions mediated by water stabilize the structures of proteins, nucleic
acids, and membranes.
Water and Cellular Environment
1. Cytoplasmic Matrix:
o The cytoplasm, largely composed of water, serves as the site for most biochemical reactions.
2. Thermoregulation:
o Water’s thermal properties help maintain homeostasis in living organisms.
3. Facilitating Enzymatic Activity:
o Enzyme activity often depends on an aqueous environment to maintain proper structure and function.
Water’s unique properties as a solvent make it indispensable in biochemistry. Its ability to dissolve and interact with a
wide range of molecules allows for the complex interplay of chemical reactions necessary for life. Understanding water’s
role provides a foundation for exploring more advanced biochemical concepts.
Activities
1. Case Study: Water in Homeostasis
o Analyze how water helps maintain body temperature during physical exercise.
References
1. Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2019). Biochemistry. W.H. Freeman.
2. Voet, D., Voet, J. G., & Pratt, C. W. (2016). Fundamentals of Biochemistry. Wiley.
3. Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., et al. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.