BY1.1 - Water

Water:

Polarity:

• Water is a polar molecule
• It has no overall charge
• As a result, molecules are attracted to one another 

Cohesion:

• Due to the attraction, hydrogen bonds are formed between water molecules
• This allows columns of water to be drawn up the xylem vessels

Surface Tension:

• Water has a high surface tension
• This allows the bodies of insects (e.g. pondskaters) to be supported on the water surface

Solvent:

• Chemical reactions occur in solution
• Non polar molecules (e.g. lipids) don't dissolve 

Transport Medium:

• In plants:
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