Adhesion

Definition

Adhesion is the process by which dissimilar substances stick together due to attractive forces at their surfaces. In biological systems, adhesion plays a crucial role in processes like cellular interactions, tissue formation, and the movement of water through plants, all of which heavily rely on water's unique properties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adhesion enables water to climb up plant roots and stems through small tubes called xylem due to its attraction to the polar molecules in these structures.
2. This property is critical for processes such as transpiration, where water moves from the roots through the plant to the leaves, helping maintain hydration and nutrient transport.
3. In biological tissues, adhesion between cells facilitates communication and structural integrity, allowing tissues to function properly and respond to environmental changes.
4. Adhesion can also influence how drugs interact with biological surfaces, impacting their absorption and efficacy within the body.
5. The interaction of water with other substances is essential for various biochemical reactions, which rely on adhesive properties to maintain cellular environments.

Review Questions

• How does adhesion contribute to the movement of water in plants?
  • Adhesion helps water move against gravity in plants by allowing it to adhere to the walls of xylem vessels. This property works alongside cohesion, as water molecules stick together while also being attracted to the vessel surfaces. Together, these forces create a continuous column of water that rises from the roots to the leaves, ensuring that essential nutrients and hydration are distributed throughout the plant.
• Discuss the role of adhesion in cellular interactions and tissue formation.
  • Adhesion is vital for cellular interactions and tissue formation because it allows cells to stick together and communicate effectively. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) facilitate this process by binding cells to one another and to their extracellular matrix. This binding not only maintains structural integrity within tissues but also allows cells to respond dynamically to their environment, promoting growth, healing, and immune responses.
• Evaluate the impact of adhesion on drug delivery systems in bioengineering applications.
  • Adhesion significantly impacts drug delivery systems by influencing how drugs interact with biological surfaces. Effective adhesion can enhance drug absorption at target sites, improving therapeutic outcomes. Engineers must carefully design drug formulations to optimize adhesive properties, ensuring that medications adhere appropriately to tissues while releasing active ingredients over time. This balance is crucial for developing efficient and targeted treatment strategies in bioengineering.

Related terms

cohesion: Cohesion is the tendency of similar molecules to stick together, which is a key feature of water that contributes to its high surface tension.

capillarity: Capillarity refers to the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces, primarily driven by adhesive and cohesive forces.

surface tension: Surface tension is the elastic tendency of liquids that makes them acquire the least surface area possible, resulting from cohesive forces between liquid molecules.