Question

Explain how the cohesive and adhesive properties of water are useful in maintaining various life processes.

Answer 1

I happen to know how the cohesive and adhesive properties of water are useful in plants if that could be of some assistance. The Cohesive and adhesive properties of water work to move water through the plant's roots and stem. First, water on the leaves of the plant evaporates through a process called transpiration. This evaporation of water causes a negative pressure that effectively sucks the water through the plant all the way down to the roots. As the water flows through the plant, the water molecules through cohesion( cohesion is when water molecules stick together through a weak electrical attraction) stick together as one huge water molecule, and it fills the xylem of the plant. This is almost like a person sucking on a straw. As the water is being sucked up the straw the water is held together. Adhesion is the attraction between water and a solid surface and capillary action is the movement of this water. Because the water is attracted to the sides of the plant within its stem the water ever so slightly with the assistance of the earlier mentioned suction through transpiration "climbs" up the sides of the plant. Also, cohesion creates surface tension on water. In other words, the water molecules stick together to create a layer of molecules or skin on top of the water. This is what allows for small bugs like spiders to float on the top of the water.