QuestionAugust 20, 2025

12 The human body is roughly 60% water. How might life be different if water was not a universal solvent?

12 The human body is roughly 60% water. How might life be different if water was not a universal solvent?
12
The human body is roughly
60%  water. How might life
be different if water was
not a universal solvent?

Solution
4.1(347 votes)

Answer

Life would be drastically different, with altered biological processes, metabolism, homeostasis, and evolutionary paths. Explanation 1. Define Universal Solvent Water's ability to dissolve many substances makes it a universal solvent, crucial for biological processes. 2. Impact on Biological Processes Without water as a universal solvent, nutrient transport and waste removal would be inefficient, affecting cellular functions. 3. Effect on Metabolism Metabolic reactions rely on dissolved substances; lack of dissolution would hinder energy production and biochemical reactions. 4. Influence on Homeostasis Maintaining stable internal conditions requires efficient solute transport; impaired solubility would disrupt homeostasis. 5. Consequences for Evolution Life forms might evolve differently, developing alternative mechanisms for nutrient uptake and waste elimination.

Explanation

1. Define Universal Solvent<br /> Water's ability to dissolve many substances makes it a universal solvent, crucial for biological processes.<br /><br />2. Impact on Biological Processes<br /> Without water as a universal solvent, nutrient transport and waste removal would be inefficient, affecting cellular functions.<br /><br />3. Effect on Metabolism<br /> Metabolic reactions rely on dissolved substances; lack of dissolution would hinder energy production and biochemical reactions.<br /><br />4. Influence on Homeostasis<br /> Maintaining stable internal conditions requires efficient solute transport; impaired solubility would disrupt homeostasis.<br /><br />5. Consequences for Evolution<br /> Life forms might evolve differently, developing alternative mechanisms for nutrient uptake and waste elimination.
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