1.1 biological compounds water Flashcards
The role magnesium as inorganic ion? (Mg²⁺)
-Constituent of chlorophyll and therefore essential for photosynthesis
-Used to make pigment chlorophyll
The role of iron as inorganic ion? (Fe²⁺)
Component of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in red blood cells
The role of calcium used as inorganic ion? (Ca²⁺)
Hardens bones and teeth (not strengthen).
A component of plant cell walls.
How is phosphate used as inorganic ion? (PO₄³⁻)
Used for making nucleotides, including ATP, DNAand RNA. A constituent of phospholipids found inbiological membranes. Hardens bones.
Why is water a polar molecule? (H₂O)
Because it has slightly uneven distribution of charge across the molecule Hydrogen is more positive, oxygen more negative. i.e. it has dipoles
why is there a cohesive force between water molecules?
When two water molecules are in close contact the opposing charges attract each other forming a hydrogen bond.
How do plants benefit from the cohesion of water molecules?
Cohesion allows for transport of water up xylem cells and to the leaves
What name is given to water due to it’s ability to dissolve a wide variety of solutes?
Universal solvent for polar molecules and ions
What are the two benefits of water being a ‘universal solvent’?
- Chemical reactions can occur in solution (e.g photosynthesis and hydrolysis)
- Can be used to transport solutes around living organisms (like in the plasma in the blood)
Why is high specific heat capacity important to animal cells?
Allows cells to maintain stable internal temperature which is important for actions of enzymes within the cell to work effectively.
Why is high specific heat capacity important to aquatic animals?
This keeps the temperature of aquatic environments stable so that organisms do not have to endure extremes of temperature.
Why is high latent heat of evaporation important to animals?
Evaporation of water (such as sweat) takes away heat from the body and acts as a cooling mechanism
Why is it important to animals that ice has a lower density than liquid water?
Floating ice provides an insulating layer on top of a body of water allowing for aquatic animals to survive even if the water at the surface has frozen
Why is water’s transparency crucial to aquatic plants?
Why is water’s transparency crucial to aquatic plants?
What is a polypeptide?
polymer of amino acids sequence of amino acid determine protein made strong covalent bonds which can break through a hydrolysis reaction
