Store Liquids
Many living systems must store liquids, such as water or nectar, so that it is available over long periods of time, including when moisture levels are low. Because of their properties, liquids tend to disperse unless they are confined in some way. Each liquid has its own unique properties. For example, water is polar, exhibiting a strong negative charge on one side of the molecule and a strong positive charge on the other. Living systems have strategies to confine fluids by taking advantage of these properties. A good example of taking advantage of water’s polarity is using materials that repel water. In doing so, a living system can keep water on one side of a barrier, such as a membrane.
Protect From Fire
Depending on location, fire can be either predictable or unpredictable. In some areas, fires occur in cycles ranging from annual to hundreds of years. Where fire is cyclic, living systems must be able to not only survive fire, but to quickly recover following it. For example, pine trees that live in areas with periodic fires have thick bark that provides insulation, thereby protecting the tree’s living tissue.
