General Science

Second form
Water in plants and animals
 Objectives
 Show that water is an important part of plants
and animal.

 Carry out a test for water

 Outline some ways in which water is important

for plants and animals
 Water in plants and animals

We know that animals

have to drink water to
stay alive. Plants also
need to take in water
through their roots.

How can we show that

water is present in
plants and in our food?
 How to test for water
 Certain chemicals change their
colour when water is added to
them. We can use these chemicals
to test a liquid for the presence of
water
 How to test for water
 Dry, white copper sulphate crystals turns blue
when water is added to them.

 Dry, blue cobalt chloride crystals turns deep

pink when water is added. This chemical is
often used as cobalt chloride paper strips.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=DKNWuf1Rr-0
 Is there water in animals?
 Aim: To find out if water is present in animals

 Materials: dry cobalt chloride paper, a mirror, a plastic bag.

 Method:
 1. Dry a mirror with a cloth. Then touch the surface quickly
with a piece of dry cobalt chloride paper. ( it should stay blue
to indicate the absence of water)

 2. Breathe onto the mirror. Test the mirror again with dry
cobalt chloride paper. What happens? What does this show?
How can you explain this?
 Is there water in animals?
 3. lightly hold a plastic bag over one of your
hands for 10 minutes. What do you see? How
can you test it? What does it show? How can
you explain this?
 Why is water so important?

 The amount of water in living things varies,

but usually the cytoplasm of a cell is 70% to
90% water. Water is needed for the reactions
that go on in living things; it keeps them alive.
 Why is water so important?

 Living things can live only for a few days

without water.

 Water makes up the liquid part of

organisms. For example the cell sap in
plants. It is also an important part of the
digestive juices, blood and saliva in
humans and other animals.
 Why do plants need water?
 Seeds need water so that they can use their
food stores and germinate. Seeds left without
water cannot grow. Water activates the seed.

 Plants use water in making food. Water is used

in photosynthesis with carbon dioxide to make
food.
 Why do plants need water?

 Water enters the roots from the soil and

carries mineral salts. These are needed to
make food.

 Food is carried around the plant in liquid

form. Food is needed by all parts of the
plant, including the seeds and fruits.
 Why do plants need water?

 When a soft stemmed plant has enough

water in it, it can stand upright. If it
doesn’t have enough water, it bends over
or wilts. So water is needed for support.

 As water is lost from the leaves, it helps

to cool the plant.
 Why do humans need water?

 The chemical reactions, such as

respiration, which takes place in our
bodies release heat. We need to get
rid of this heat by sweating. Water is
the main part our sweat, so it is
important to drink a lot. Sweating
helps to keep us cool.
 Why do humans need water?

 We breathe in air rich in oxygen. In

the lungs this dissolves in moisture
and can pass into our blood. Moisture
is also needed to help us breathe out
air containing more carbon dioxide.
 Why do humans need water?

 Water is apart of saliva and other

digestive juices. Water is also
used as food is broken down
inside the alimentary canal.
 Why do humans need water?

 Blood is mainly water. Blood is pumped

around the body by the heart and takes
important substances to and from our cells.
The blood carries oxygen, food, carbon
dioxide, waste heat and hormones. It also helps
protect us from infections
Why do humans need water?
Why do humans need water?
 Home work assignment

 Students are to develop a poster to illustrate the

importance of water to humans.

 Assignment must be:

1. Completed on cartridge paper
2. Cartridge paper must be bordered
3. Name and form must be indicated.
4. Pencils and crayons maybe used
5. Clean and neatly presented.

NB: Marks will be allotted to information and creativity.