Final answer:
Water acts to protect and cushion the body by encasing the brain within the skull, cushioning a fetus in the womb, and serving as a lubricant in joints and organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
One example of how water acts to protect and cushion the body is by cushioning the brain within the skull, which helps to protect it from physical trauma. Another critical function is the role of water in the amniotic sac, where it cushions a developing fetus in the mother's womb. Additionally, water serves as a major component of lubricating fluids, such as synovial fluid in joints, pleural fluid aiding lung function, and other fluids that facilitate digestive and organ movements.