1.7 Water

Question 1

How is water a polar molecule

Answer 1

there are covalent bonds in which the electrons are shared
resulting in a slight δ positive charge at the hydrogens, and slight δ negative charge at the oxygen.

Question 2

why is water an important metabolite

Answer 2

it is used in condensation and hydrolysis reactions

Question 3

how is water a solvent

Answer 3

the slightly charged ends attract other parts of polar molecules to dissolve them

Question 4

why is the high latent heat of vaporisation good for water

Answer 4

water evaporates when the hydrogen bonds holding the water molecules together are broken
it takes a lot of energy needed to break and transfer a lot of energy, so is good for sweating or in any situation you would want to cool something down

Question 5

why is the high specific heat capacity good for water

Answer 5

the hydrogen bonds give the water a high specific heat capacity.
this is useful for living organisms because it means water does not experience rapid temperature increase or decrease as it acts as a buffer between sudden temperature variations.

Question 6

how is water cohesive and what does this do

Answer 6

water molecules are very cohesive meaning they tend to stick together because they are polar, this helps water to flow.
the surface tension allows small organisms on it surface such as pond skaters.

Question 7

name 7 advantages of water

Answer 7

1. a metabolite in condensation reactions
2. a solvent to metabolic reactions can occur
3. high heat capacity so buffers change in temperature
4. large latent heat of vaporisation so provides a cooling affect
5. cohesive so supports columns of water
6. cohesive so produces surface tension supporting organisms
7. transparent so aquatic plants can photosynthesise