The cohesion of water in biology: a property not to be forgotten

Gases and crystalline solids are states of matter that have been understood for nearly two centuries but liquid as a state of matter is still unclear. As a third state of matter there have been many anomalies uncovered in the twentieth century such as dipoles and different properties from changed molecular structures. In consequence liquids can no longer be grouped into a separate state of matter. Liquid water, the most abundant material in the Universe has a number of discrete characteristics. The liquid surface and the cohesive forces of liquid water are two of the more general properties that have unique importance in molecular biology. It is shown here that Coulomb forces over short distances can stabilize water molecules that are rapidly spinning dipoles or dipoles which have lost their rotational energy and form semi-crystal-like solids when confined to the restricted spaces of cells and proteins. The surface energy of liquids, extensively studied since the 19th century, can do mechanical work and this is clearest with liquid mercury. But it is surprising that this remarkable property has been neglected in the case of water in biology, and particularly not envisaged as a work supplementary to ATP hydrolysis in muscle contractions, which merits further study.