Q12.70P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Warm-blooded animals have a narrow range of body temperature because their bodies have a high-water content. Explain.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The high content of water increases the H-bonding and to change the body temperature with a sudden increase in temperature, these strong H-bond breaking is required. Hence, warm-blooded animals have a narrow range of body temperature.

High- water content in the body

Water involves H-bonding which are strong intermolecular force and thus high the specific heat value of water. Specific heat is the heat required to raise the temperature of 1g of water to $\mathbf{1}\mathbf{°}\mathbf{C}$ . The high content of water in the body thus signifies that with any sudden increase in external temperature, more H-bond breaking will be done.

 

Effect on body temperature

With the breaking of more H-bond, less effect will be there on the body temperature with the change in the external temperature. Warm-blooded animals have been found to have more water content in their body which thus compensate for any increase in temperature outside.

Temperature range

As the high content of water in the body compensates for the external temperature, thus any large increase in outside temperature will create less increase in the body temperature.