What is special about water as a matrix of life?

Lawrence R. Pratt; Andrew Pohorille; D. Asthagiri

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What is special about water as a matrix of life?

Lawrence R. Pratt·Andrew Pohorille·D. Asthagiri

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Abstract

Water offers a large temperature domain of stable liquid, and the characteristic hydrophobic effects are first a consequence of the temperature insensitivity of equation-of-state features of the aqueous medium, compared to other liquids. On this basis, the known aqueous media and conditions offer low risk compared to alternatives as a matrix to which familiar molecular biological structures and processes have adapted. The current molecular-scale understanding of hydrophobic hydration is not conformant in detail with a standard structural entropy rationalization. That classic pictorial explanation may serve as a mnemonic, but isn't necessary. A more defensible view is that peculiar hydrophobic effects can be comprehended by examination of engineering parameters characterizing liquid water.

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Lawrence R. Pratt, Andrew Pohorille, D. Asthagiri. 2007-01-24. What is special about water as a matrix of life?. https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0701282

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