Water for Life

Water for Life

Christina Marie Burroughs

Strayer University

Dr. Kerry Lee

SCI115 Introduction To Biology

08/04/2016

In Popular Science, Ms. Claire Maldarelli talks about thirst and the relationship between the brain and blood sensing dehydration.  It seems so easy to think that as we sweat and lose water throughout the day, our need for hydration becomes more and more prevalent.  As simple as that concept seems, it’s actually a lot more complex than that.  She talks about the journal Nature and how their researchers had identified a group of neurons that not only aid in the feeling of thirst, but also the feeling of quenching it.  These neurons are located in the subfornical organ of the brain.  In order to understand how these neurons worked, they tested with mice using a salt solution.  They determined that the more of the solution given, more neurons were activated and based on the speed at which the mice drank and stopped drinking, they hypothesized that this process can not only be regulated by blood saturation.  During this research the scientists also decided to visit the thought that cold water quenches thirst faster than warm.  The mice that drank the cold water were able to return the neurons back to normal quicker.  Based on the tests completed, the researchers found that those neurons must regulate thirst not only through blood concentration but also through food and liquid intake. (Maldarelli, 2016)

I believe this article is very relevant to our everyday life.  Since all organisms are mostly water, and a lot of the reactions in our bodies take place in water, making sure we are always hydrated is of the upmost of importance.  We studied the importance of water back in Chapter 2 of the text book.  Since water is such a good solvent, hydrophilic substances such as salt and sugar are absorbed easily into the blood stream.  The hydrogen bonds in water make it a good temperature regulator.  As we sweat, the water evaporates while cooling our bodies.  We lose a significant amount of our water supply this way.  Also, water is pivotal to homeostasis because certain life functions happen at certain temperatures.  Plants also use water to survive, and without plants, we would not be able to breathe.  The elements of water that cause cohesion, hydrogen bonds, are what help it to get from the roots to the leaves. (Starr, Evers, Starr 2007)

The article caught my attention due to the fact that I recently was in the hospital for dehydration.  I know the importance of drinking water, but it is a difficult thing to stay on top of in a busy day.  When you are focused on so many things, sometimes it becomes easy to ignore the body and its messages.  There is a reason people tell you to take time for yourself.  There is a reason breaks and lunch breaks are required in a work schedule.  I work in a job that is very physically demanding, I sweat all day.  Due to staffing issues, I do not always get to take a break when I need to.  I was ignoring the signs of dehydration like headaches, fatigue and nausea.  I got home after working three twelve hour shifts and began to feel lightheaded and my heart was racing.  After three IV bags and drinking water, felt so much better, and was able to go home.  Since then, I am sure to carry a water bottle around with me all day and refill it often.  I have even requested that the County bring in water coolers in the breakrooms for us, so that we have more access to cold water.