(3.1.7) water

Question 1

why is water a polar molecule?

Answer 1

oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so it attracts electron density in the covalent bond more strongly

Question 2

what are four biologically important properties of water?

Answer 2

• metabolite and a solvent which is good for chemical reactions, such as condensation reactions, to occur in the body
• high specific heat capacity
• high latent heat of vaporisation
• strong cohesive properties and high tensile strength

Question 3

explain why water is important to living organisms

Answer 3

• solvent for polar molecules during metabolic reactions
• high specific heat capacity enables organisms to avoid fluctuations in core temperature.
• cohesion between water molecules supports transpiration stream in plants + produces surface tension supporting small animals