Abstract
Water is the basic chemical of life, acting both as a bulk and localized solvent for the body. Water is an angular molecule with two vertical planes of symmetry and is an acceptor and donator of protons. Water freezes at 0°C to form a stable phase (ice) with a variety of structural formations. The chemical potential of ice is much lower than that of liquid water. As water is warmed the structure becomes more open and is at its maximum volume at 4°C. Water molecules are held apart by hydrogen bonds between structures.
• Water is essential to life.
• Water acts as a bulk, cellular and compartmental solvent in the body.
• The properties of chemicals and polymers in water are central to metabolism.
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© 1997 Martin Eastwood
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Eastwood, M. (1997). Water, electrolytes, minerals and trace elements. In: Principles of Human Nutrition. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3025-5_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-3025-5_8
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