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In a classic book called The Fitness of the Environment, ecologist Lawrence Henderson highlights the importance of water to life. While acknowledging that life adapts to its environment through natural selection, Henderson emphasizes that for life to exist at all, the environment must first be a suitable abode.

Life on Earth began in water and evolved there for 3 billion years before spreading onto land. Modern life, even terrestrial life, remains tied to water. All living organisms require water more than any other substance. Human beings, for example can survive for quite a few weeks without food, but only a week or so without water. Molecules of water participate in many chemical reactions necessary to sustain life. Most cells are surrounded by water, and cells themselves are about 70-95% water."

and paraphrased from the same source:

"....four emergent properties of water that contribute to Earth's suitability as an environment for life: cohesive behavior(hydrogen bonds+this property's surface tension phenomena+adhesion), ability to moderate temperature (the ability to absorb heat with only a slight change to its own temperature), expansion upon freezing (few substances are less dense in solid form than in liquid), and use as a solvent (behavioral characteristics of H+ and OH+ ions when mixed with an acid or base)."

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Are seacucumbers warm blooded?

No, sea cucumbers are cold-blooded organisms, which means their internal body temperature fluctuates with the temperature of their environment. They do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature like warm-blooded animals.


What is the ability of organisms to maintain their internal conditions?

The ability of organisms to maintain their internal conditions is called homeostasis. This process involves regulating variables such as temperature, pH, and nutrient levels within a narrow range to support proper bodily function. Homeostasis helps organisms respond to changes in their environment and maintain overall stability.


Do only a few organisms react to their environment to survive true or false?

No, all organisms react to their environment to survive.


What are the five properties found in ALL living organisims?

Organization: Living organisms are structured at different levels, from cells to tissues to organs to organ systems. Growth: Living organisms have the ability to increase their size and complexity over time. Reproduction: Living organisms can produce offspring through processes like sexual or asexual reproduction. Homeostasis: Living organisms maintain internal balance despite changes in their external environment. Response to stimuli: Living organisms can detect and respond to changes in their environment through processes like movement or behavior.


Five traits organisms have?

Reproduction: Organisms have the ability to produce offspring. Homeostasis: Organisms maintain a stable internal environment to support life functions. Adaptation: Organisms can evolve and change over time to better suit their environment. Growth: Organisms go through various stages of development and increase in size. Response to stimuli: Organisms can react to external stimuli in their environment.

Related Questions

Are seacucumbers warm blooded?

No, sea cucumbers are cold-blooded organisms, which means their internal body temperature fluctuates with the temperature of their environment. They do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature like warm-blooded animals.


Many living organisms respond to things in the environment called?

stimuli, which can include light, temperature, sound, and chemicals. These stimuli trigger various physiological and behavioral responses in organisms as part of their ability to adapt and survive in their surroundings.


What is the ability of organisms to maintain their internal conditions?

The ability of organisms to maintain their internal conditions is called homeostasis. This process involves regulating variables such as temperature, pH, and nutrient levels within a narrow range to support proper bodily function. Homeostasis helps organisms respond to changes in their environment and maintain overall stability.


Which term describe a organisms ability to maintain a stable internal environment?

Homeostasis


Is an important life-sustaining property of water cohesive behavior versatility as a solvent expansion upon freezing contraction upon freezing ability to moderate temperature?

An important life-sustaining property of water is its ability to moderate temperature. This property allows water to absorb and release heat slowly, helping to maintain stable environmental conditions for living organisms. Additionally, water's cohesive behavior and versatility as a solvent are crucial for biological processes, but its temperature moderation plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.


5 traits of organisms?

Adaptability: Organisms have the ability to adjust to changes in their environment to survive. Reproduction: Organisms have the ability to reproduce and pass on their genetic traits to offspring. Homeostasis: Organisms maintain internal stability through processes like temperature regulation and nutrient balance. Growth and development: Organisms go through stages of growth and maturation over their lifespan. Response to stimuli: Organisms can react to various stimuli in their environment to ensure their survival.


What are 3 types of environmental conditions?

Temperature: Refers to the degree of heat or cold in a given environment, influencing the ability of organisms to survive and thrive. Humidity: Indicates the amount of moisture in the air, affecting various ecological processes and the adaptability of organisms. Light intensity: Describes the level of brightness in an environment, playing a crucial role in photosynthesis, circadian rhythms, and behavior of organisms.


An inherited characteristic that increases an organisms ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment is called a?

An inherited characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment is called an adaptation. Adaptations help organisms better suit their environment and increase their chances of survival and reproduction.


Do only a few organisms react to their environment to survive true or false?

No, all organisms react to their environment to survive.


What term is used to described what causes organisms to react to their environment?

There are 7 characteristics of life one of which is irritability, meaning an organism needs to be able to react to its environment, this characteristic or instinct is what causes organisms to react to their environment. The ability to ajust to this change in their environment is adaption.


What term is used to describe what causes organisms to react to their environment?

There are 7 characteristics of life one of which is irritability, meaning an organism needs to be able to react to its environment, this characteristic or instinct is what causes organisms to react to their environment. The ability to ajust to this change in their environment is adaption.


What are the five properties found in ALL living organisims?

Organization: Living organisms are structured at different levels, from cells to tissues to organs to organ systems. Growth: Living organisms have the ability to increase their size and complexity over time. Reproduction: Living organisms can produce offspring through processes like sexual or asexual reproduction. Homeostasis: Living organisms maintain internal balance despite changes in their external environment. Response to stimuli: Living organisms can detect and respond to changes in their environment through processes like movement or behavior.