1.7 WATER Flashcards
1
Q
How is water a metabolite?
A
- Breaks down complex molecules by hydrolysis.
- An important solvent for chemical reaction.
- There for condensation reaction, to form complex polymers.
2
Q
Why does water have a high specific heat capacity?
A
- Molecules of water stick together due to cohesion.
- Requires a lot of energy to break them apart.
3
Q
Why is water’s high specific heat capacity useful?
A
It can act as a buffer for certain reactions to keep a stable temperature (as its difficult to change water’s temperature)
4
Q
Why does water have high latent heat?
A
Needs lots of energy to vaporise water due to its strong hydrogen bonds.
5
Q
Why is water’s high latent heat useful?
A
Provides a great cooling effect in high temperatures, without losing a lot of water. Good for dry / hot conditions.
6
Q
Why does water have cohesion?
A
- Strong hydrogen bonds makes molecules ‘stick’ together.
- This produces large cohesive forces.
7
Q
Why are the strong cohesive forces of water useful?
A
- Allow column of water (stuck together) to be pulled through tubes.
- Provides the main mechanism for xylem plant transport.
- It also provides tension on the surface between water and air, so prevents too much water escaping.
