Why is water important?
Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by Iwind in History
We live in a planet that is composed of water. Almost 71% of the planet is covered with water. Water is important. It is known as the elixir of life. True to its words, water is very important for life to thrive on this planet. The earliest known forms of life – the micro organisms and the plankton were water borne. It is a known fact that life as we know it today has evolved from a marine ecosystem – single celled, aquatic organisms led to multi-cellular aquatic life-forms which over a period of time has evolved in such great magnitude with varied diversity.
It is postulated that oceans evolved in the very beginning. The searing heat and the atmospheric temperatures that had grown considerably began to decrease with the formation of this vast aqueous medium, eventually cooling down the primordial planet thus providing optimal conditions for the procreation of life.
All early civilizations known to man have flourished because of the presence of water. All civilizations have been founded historically in places that abound with this precious liquid. The Mesopotamian civilization, known as the “cradle of civilization” was situated between the Tigris and the Euphrates. The Indus Valley Civilization thrived and flourished because of the presence of the Indus. The great Egyptian Empire was founded on the banks of the river Nile.
Water is very important – it has a major impact on life. It is critical for the sustenance of life. Water is known as the universal solvent. All metabolic processes need water. Propagation of organic minerals and salts in all life forms takes place in an aqueous medium as water is capable of dissolving almost all solutes, maintaining a neutral pH level and increasing enzymatic action. Water plays a central role in the process of photosynthesis. The cells in plants harness the sun’s energy and convert this energy into food and release oxygen. This cannot happen unless water molecules are broken down into its constituents. The sun’s energy is tapped and is used to split up water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This hydrogen then reacts with CO2, to form glucose and oxygen.
Water is very important in all walks of human life. Agriculture is dependent on irrigation, potable drinking water is necessary for human survival. Trade was carried on in waterways and entire civilizations have thrived because of the presence of water. Water therefore is important for the genesis of life and its sustenance.
Popularity: 15%
|
|
|