Biology - Water

?
Describe the structure of a water molecule
2 slightly positive hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to a slightly negative oxygen atom
1 of 18
Name the bond that can link 2 water molecules together
Hydrogen bond
2 of 18
Explain what a hydrogen bond is, which types of atoms it can join together and where they occur in biology
A hydrogen bond is a relatively weak interaction between a hydrogen atom and a lone pair on either an oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine atom, and occurs, for example, in water
3 of 18
Define the term 'polar'
Has regions of different charges
4 of 18
Explain why water is a polar molecule
There is an equal sharing of elctron between hydrogen and oxygen
5 of 18
Define the term 'electronegativity'
The tendency of electrons to collect around an element
6 of 18
Define the term 'dipole'
A molecule with 2 areas of different charges
7 of 18
List the roles water plays in life
Solvent, reactant, coolant, transport medium, habitat
8 of 18
Explain how the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful solvent
It is polar, so can separate other polar molecules by 'pulling' them apart
9 of 18
Explain how the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful reactant
Water is the raw material in many reactions, for example photosynthesis in plants
10 of 18
Explain how the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful transport medium
It can adhere to other molecules, and coheres to itself, which can result in capillary action
11 of 18
Explain how the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful coolant
It has a very high specific heat capacity, so doesn't change temperature easily, so can keep other things cool
12 of 18
Explain how the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful habitat
It has a high specific capacity, so doesn't change temperature easily, and animals can inhabit the surface due to surface tension
13 of 18
Define the term 'hydrophilic'
Will be dissolved in / is attracted to water
14 of 18
Define the term 'hydrophobic'
Will repel / will not be dissolved in water
15 of 18
Define the term 'cohesion'
Water molecules are attracted to each other, so will stick to each other, and move as one
16 of 18
Define the term 'adhesion'
Water molecules are attracted to other molecules, so stick to them
17 of 18
Describe any other properties, not realted to its polar nature, water has that makes it useful for life
It has a high latent heat, so releases lots of energy when evaporating, it has a high specific capacity, so requires lots of energy to change temperature, and it is denser in its liquid state than its solid one, so ice can be inhabited
18 of 18

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Name the bond that can link 2 water molecules together

Back

Hydrogen bond

Card 3

Front

Explain what a hydrogen bond is, which types of atoms it can join together and where they occur in biology

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define the term 'polar'

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Explain why water is a polar molecule

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Biological molecules, organic chemistry and biochemistry resources »