The most familiar and most incredible substance on Earth is water. The significance of water cannot be overestimated in the life of all living things on the planet, it is present in every moment of our existence. Being the predominant element in the composition of any organism, water also directs its vital activity.
Water in nature
Humanity throughout its existence has been trying to solve the mystery of this amazing and contradictory element. How did it come about, how did it get to our planet? Probably no one will be able to answer this question, but everyone knows that the importance of water in nature and human life is unimaginably great. One thing is absolutely true - today there are as many water reserves on Earth as there were at the birth of the universe.
The unique properties of water shrink when heated and expand when it freezes - another reason to be surprised. No other substance has similar properties. And her ability to move from one state to another, so familiar and at the same time, amazing, playing an exceptional role, makes it possible for all living organisms to exist on Earth. The Highest Mind assigned to the main party the maintenance of life and participation in constantly occurring natural processes.
The water cycle
This process is called the hydrological cycle, which is a continuous circulation of water that enters the atmosphere from the hydrosphere and surface of the earth, and then back. The cycle involves four processes:
- evaporation;
- condensation;
- precipitation;
- water runoff.
Once on the ground, part of the precipitation, evaporates, condenses, the other part due to the drain fills the reservoirs, the third turns into groundwater, going underground. So, constantly moving, feeding water arteries, plants and animals and preserving their own reserves, roams, protecting the Earth, water. The significance of water is obvious and undeniable.
The mechanism of the cycle and its types
In nature, there is a large cycle (the so-called world), as well as two small ones - continental and oceanic. Precipitation collected over the oceans is carried by the winds and falls on the continents, and then again returns to the ocean with runoff. The process when ocean water continuously evaporates, condenses and again falls into the ocean in the form of precipitation, is called the small ocean cycle. And all similar processes taking place over land are combined into a small continental cycle, in which the main character is water. Its importance in the natural processes of continuous circulation, supporting the Earth's water balance and ensuring the existence of living organisms, is undeniable.
Water and man
Lacking nutritional value in the usual sense, water is the main component of any living organism, including humans. No one can exist without water. Two-thirds of any organism is water. The importance of water is extremely important for the proper functioning of all systems and organs.
Throughout life, a person daily comes into contact with water, using it for drinking and food, hygiene procedures, rest and heating. On Earth there is no
more valuable natural material, as vital and indispensable as water. Doing without food for quite long periods of time, a person will not live without water for 8 days, since when a person is dehydrated within 8% of his body weight, a person faints, 10% cause hallucinations, and 20% inevitably cause death.
Why is water so important to humans? It turns out that water regulates all the basic life processes:
- normalizes the humidity of oxygen, increasing its absorption;
- carries out thermoregulation of the body;
- dissolves nutrients, helping the body in their assimilation;
- moisturizes and protects vital organs;
- forms a protective lubricant for the joints;
- improves metabolic processes in the activity of body systems;
- promotes the evacuation of waste from the body.
How to maintain water balance
On average, a person loses 2-3 liters of water per day. In more extreme conditions, for example, in the heat, with high humidity and physical exertion, water loss increases. To maintain the normal physiological water balance of the body, it is necessary to balance the flow of water with its removal by competent drinking regimen.
We make some calculations. Given that the daily human need for water is 30-40 grams per 1 kg of body weight and about 40% of the total need comes from food, the rest should be taken in the form of drinks. In summer, daily water consumption is 2-2.5 liters. The hottest regions of the planet dictate their requirements - 3.5-5.0 liters, and in extremely hot conditions up to 6.0-6.5 liters of water. Do not allow dehydration. Alarming symptoms of this disaster are dry skin, accompanied by itching, fatigue, a sharp decrease in concentration, blood pressure, headaches and general malaise.
Beneficial effect
It is interesting that, taking a direct part in metabolic processes, water contributes to weight loss. It is a common misconception that people who want to lose weight need to drink less water, since the body retains water, causing significant harm. You can not drive your own body into even more stress, knocking it out of the usual water exchange. In addition, moisture, as a natural diuretic, tones the work of the kidneys, causing weight loss.
Getting the optimal amount of water, a person adds strength, energy and stamina. It is easier for him to control weight, since even psychological inconvenience from forced changes while reducing the usual diet is easier to carry. Scientific studies have proven that daily consumption of enough clean water helps fight severe ailments - it helps relieve back pain, migraines, reduce blood sugar and cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition, by toning the kidneys, water inhibits the formation of stones. It is proved that people with a creative inclination tend to drink a lot, and the great artists were encouraged to create masterpieces by sea water. The value of water, it turns out, is important in art.
Water exchange of plants
Like a human being, water is essential for any plant. In different plants, it makes up from 70 to 95% of the mass, controlling all the processes that occur. Metabolism in a plant is possible only with a large amount of moisture, so the importance of water for plants is undeniably great. Dissolving mineral substances in the soil, water delivers them to the plant, ensuring their continuous flow. Without water, seeds will not germinate, the process of photosynthesis will not occur in green leaves. The water that fills the cells of a plant ensures its viability and preservation of a certain shape.
The most important condition for the life support of the plant organism is the ability to absorb water from the outside. The plant, receiving water, mainly from the soil with the help of roots, delivers it to the terrestrial parts of the plant, where its leaves evaporate. Such water exchange exists in every organic system - getting into it, it gives off nutrients, evaporates or is excreted, and then again, enriched with useful substances, it enters the body.
Another amazing way of water penetrating into living cells is its osmotic absorption, that is, the ability of water to accumulate externally into cell solutions, increasing the volume of fluid in the cell.
The art of consuming water
The constant use of pure water significantly improves the mental activity of the brain and coordination of movement, and therefore, the importance of water for the vital activity of brain cells is especially valuable. Therefore, a healthy person should not limit himself in drinking, but some rules should be followed:
- drink a little, but often;
- you should not drink a lot of water at once, since an excess of fluid in the blood will deliver an unnecessary load to the heart and kidneys.
So, the importance of water for living organisms is enormous. Therefore, the creation of conditions for maintaining their own water balance is necessary for every person.