Biology: Water

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Water
Solvent properties
- Metabolic process rely on chemicals reaction i.e respiration, photosynthesis
- Solubility = whether water molecules can interact with substances
- Polar molecules will dissolve
- Water
Metabolic process rely on chemicals reaction i.e respiration, photosynthesis
Solubility = whether water molecules can interact with substances
Polar molecules will dissolve
Density and freezing
Ice is less dense than water
- Density and freezing
Ice acts as insulating layer - water beneath less likely to freeze - higher temp.
Polar bears hunt on floating ice - lakes do not freeze completely so organisms can live
Surface tension/cohesion
- Plant transport: xylem uses cohesion to pull up water
- Cohesion makes long thin water columns strong + difficult to break
Water molecules stick together creating surface tension
- Surface tension/cohesion
  - Plant transport: xylem uses cohesion to pull up water
  - Cohesion makes long thin water columns strong + difficult to break
Organisms make use of surface tension to 'walk on water'
Thermal stability
- Hydrogen bonds in water restrict movement of water molecules - energy needed to increase water temp.
Evaporation cools surfaces by removing heat
- Thermal stability
  - Hydrogen bonds in water restrict movement of water molecules - energy needed to increase water temp.
Animals use evaporation - panting and sweating
- Evaporation cools surfaces by removing heat
Oceans provide stable environment in terms of temp.

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