2.1.1 - Water

Functions of water:

• A reactant in many important chemical reactions- like photosynthesis and hydrolysis
• A solvent which means that substances can dissolve in it
• Transports substances, because it is a solvent. Substances such as water and glucose
• Helps with temperature control. Carries heat energy away when it evaporates, which helps to cool

Structure of water molecules 

• Shared negative hydrogen electrons are pulled towards oxygen, the other side of each hydrogen atom is left with a slight positive charge
• Unshared negative electrons on the oxygen atom give it a slight negative charge. 
• Makes water a polar molecule 
• Negatively charged atoms of water attract the positively charged hydrogen atoms or other water molecules. This is…