1.1.3 Water

Question 1

Water is a polar molecule, what does this mean?

Answer 1

There is an unevenly distributed charge

Question 2

What shape is a water molecule?

Answer 2

The hydrogens are pushed together forming a V shape molecule

Question 3

Which part of the water molecule is slightly negative, and slightly positive? Why?

Answer 3

The hydrogen is slightly positive and the oxygen is slightly negative due to the electrons being more concentrated at that end

Question 4

What bonds hold water together?

Answer 4

Hydrogen bonds

Question 5

What property of water means allows for vital biochemical reactions to occur in the cytoplasm of the cells?

Answer 5

Many chemicals can easily dissolve in water, due to it being polar

Question 6

Why can ionic substances such as NaCl dissolve easily in water?

Answer 6

The positive ions are attracted to the negative ends of the water, and visa versa

Question 7

Are polar molecules hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

Answer 7

Polar substances are said to be hydrophilic, water loving

Question 8

What is specific heat capacity?

Answer 8

The amount of joules required to raise the temperature of 1cm3 of water by 1C

Question 9

What is the specific heat capacity of water? Why?

Answer 9

The specific heat capacity of water is very high. This is because the strong hydrogen bonds need to be broken

Question 10

Why is the slow warming and cooling of water useful in organisms?

Answer 10

It helps avoid rapid temperature change