Elsevier

Journal of Molecular Structure

Volume 297, 13 August 1993, Pages 425-437
Journal of Molecular Structure

The role of water in biological systems

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-2860(93)80198-5Get rights and content

Abstract

A general model of the liquid water structure consistent with its physical, chemical, structural, and also biological properties has not been described in the literature so far. Therefore, different structure models of liquid water have been taken into account in relation to its OH stretching Raman modes. Some factors (structure factor, H-bond cooperativity) typical of liquid and biological water have been considered.

Also, the different roles played by water in biological systems are elucidated and discussed by means of a few general structure models, suitable for explaining the perturbations induced on liquid water by solutes (ionic, acids and bases, apolar) and surfaces.

In particular, the possibility of strong acid—base H-bond interactions between different groups has been explored together with the biological role of water. Furthermore, the modulating effect of water on the H-bond strength and the consequent properties have been hypothesized.

Finally, the behaviour of water structure in tissues and its possible correlation with normal and pathological conditions are reported.

References (71)

  • L. Pauling
  • M. Colles et al.

    Chem. Phys. Lett.

    (1970)
  • G.E. Walrafen

    Adv. Mol. Relaxation Processes

    (1972)
  • B. Curnutte et al.

    J. Mol. Spectrosc.

    (1974)
  • A. Bertoluzza

    Rend. Accad. Naz. 40

    (1961)
  • G.B. Bonino

    Boll. Sci. Fac. Chim. Ind.

    (1955)
  • A. Bertoluzza

    Rend. Accad. Naz. 40

    (1969)
  • S.I. Aksyonov
  • J.D. Bernal et al.

    J. Chem. Phys.

    (1933)
  • J.A. Pople

    Proc. R. Soc.

    (1951)
  • J.D. Bernal

    Proc. R. Soc.

    (1964)
  • O.Ya. Samoilov
    (1965)
  • M.D. Danford et al.

    J. Am. Chem. Soc.

    (1962)
  • A.H. Narten et al.

    Discuss. Faraday Soc.

    (1967)
  • H.S. Frank et al.

    Discuss. Faraday Soc.

    (1957)
  • G. Nemethy et al.

    J. Chem. Phys.

    (1962)
  • G.E. Walrafen

    J. Chem. Phys.

    (1967)
  • G.E. Walrafen

    J. Chem. Phys.

    (1968)
  • W.F. Murphy et al.

    J. Phys. Chem.

    (1972)
  • F. Franks
  • G.E. Walrafen
  • J.R. Scherer et al.
  • S. Singh et al.

    Int. J. Raman Spectrosc.

    (1982)
  • E. Einsenberg et al.
    (1969)
  • Yu Ya Efimov et al.

    Mol. Phys.

    (1975)
    Yu Ya Efimov et al.

    Mol. Phys.

    (1975)
    Yu Ya Efimov et al.

    Mol. Phys.

    (1975)
  • Yu Ya Efimov et al.

    Mol. Phys.

    (1977)
    Yu Ya Efimov et al.

    Mol. Phys.

    (1977)
  • A. Savitzky et al.

    Anal. Chem.

    (1964)
  • P. Gans et al.

    Appl. Spectrosc.

    (1983)
  • T.R. Griffiths et al.

    Anal. Chim. Acta

    (1982)
  • M.I.S. Sastry et al.

    J. Mol. Struct.

    (1987)
  • C.A. Coulson et al.

    Zanichelli Editore

    (1955)
  • H.T. Barnes et al.

    Nature

    (1932)
  • T.Cunliffe Barnes

    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.

    (1932)
  • T.Cunliffe Barnes

    Science

    (1934)
  • C.P. Hegerty et al.

    J. Bacteriol.

    (1934)
  • Cited by (9)

    • Influence of protic ionic liquids on hydration of glycine based peptides

      2022, Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
      Citation Excerpt :

      The significance of water for supporting life is all around accepted, the specific aspects of water in natural processes stay misty. On the other hand, many researchers have shown that the interfacial water and its dynamics is equally important to get more insights in naturally occurring bioprocesses [1–4]. Frequently, this interfacial water is called “biological water”.

    • Relationship between precipitation and species distribution

      2021, Precipitation: Earth Surface Responses and Processes
    • Competition between lone pair-π, halogen bond, and hydrogen bond in adducts of water with perhalogenated alkenes C<inf>2</inf>Cl<inf>n</inf>F <inf>4-n</inf> (n = 0-4)

      2014, Chemical Physics
      Citation Excerpt :

      Water was chosen as a partner molecule for a number of reasons. Although the lone pairs of any electronegative atom might participate in a lp–π interaction, H2O is widely considered as a model for various noncovalent interactions due to its importance in various chemical and biological systems [62,63]. H2O is a universal solvent and is present as a major ingredient in biological systems.

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    This work is devoted to Professor Camille Sandorfy who contributed, with many meaningful studies, to the characterization of the H-bond, and so to that of water which is one of the most important H-bonded systems.

    View full text