1.7 Water

Question 1

Properties of water

Answer 1

1. Metabolite
2. Solvent
3. High Specific Heat Capacity
4. Large latent heat of vaporisation
5. Strong cohesion between water molecules

Question 2

Metabolite

Answer 2

Many metabolic reactions involve condensation or hydrolysis

Question 3

Hydrolysis

Answer 3

Requires a molecule of water to break a bond

Question 4

Condensation

Answer 4

Releases a water molecule as a new bond is formed

Question 5

High latent heat of vaporisation

Answer 5

Lots of energy required to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules. Can use water loss through evaporation to cool down

Question 6

High specific heat capacity

Answer 6

Lots of energy required to heat water up, it acts as a buffer to temperature changes

Question 7

Solvent

Answer 7

Many important substances in metabolic reactions are ionic, water is polar so ions will dissolve in water. Makes it a good solvent in which metabolic reactions can occur

Question 8

Cohesion

Answer 8

Helps water to flow and transport substances, supporting columns of water up the xylem. Has high surface tension where water meets air