Final answer:
Water makes up about 50-60% of an adult's total body weight, serves various critical functions including hydration and as a solvent for bodily reactions, and is the most important nutrient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water constitutes approximately 50-60% of total body weight in adults. It plays a vital role as it is involved in nearly every bodily function, including acting as a solvent for the body's chemical reactions, a lubricant and cushion for joints, and helping in the regulation of body temperature. Water is also found in almost all foods and is critical for rebuilding cells and maintaining healthy tissue and organ function. Infants and young children have higher water content at about 75%, while this percentage decreases with age.