When animals oxidize stored fat, they produce metabolic water. Even though the production of metabolic water from stored fat follows principles of chemical stoichiometry, the net gain of water that animals realize from the oxidation of stored fat depends on the humidity of the atmosphere. Explain why. Does the net gain increase or decrease as the atmosphere becomes more humid?

Question

Abby Murray

Biology

12 April, 14:09

When animals oxidize stored fat, they produce metabolic water. Even though the production of metabolic water from stored fat follows principles of chemical stoichiometry, the net gain of water that animals realize from the oxidation of stored fat depends on the humidity of the atmosphere. Explain why. Does the net gain increase or decrease as the atmosphere becomes more humid?

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Giovanny Spears · Answer 1

The net gain of metabolic water by fat oxidation depends on the water loss in breathing which in turn is regulated by the humidity of the air. The net gain increases as the atmosphere become more humid.

Explanation:

Fat oxidation produces metabolic water. Some of this water is lost with exhaled air during breathing. The loss of water with exhaled air is increased as the atmosphere becomes less humid. On the other hand, under the conditions of a humid atmosphere, exhaled air contains less water.

Therefore, the net gain of the metabolic water is increased when the air becomes more humid as less water is lost with exhaled air and most of the metabolic water is available to cells. As the air becomes drier, more of the metabolic water is lost during breathing resulting in a reduced net gain of water by fat oxidation.