Biochemistry - water Flashcards
why is water a polar molecule?
oxygen molecule is delta negative, hydrogen atoms are delta positive
O has more protons in nucleus than H meaning electrons spend more time around O than O
why is a high specific heat capacity a good property of water
water can absorb a large amount of heat energy before temp changes because of hydrogen bonds
- allows enzymes within cells to work efficiently
- prevents large temp fluctuations keeping aquatic habitats stable
why is a high latent heat of evaporation a good property of water?
hydrogen bonds between water molecules absorb lots of energy before breaking
helps organisms maintain a content body temp
an efficient cooling mechanism
what is beneficial of water being a metabolite?
- water is reactive
- a reactant in photosynthesis/ hydrolysis
- a product of aerobic respiration/ condensation reactions
why is it beneficial that water is a solvent ?
can dissolve other substances e.g. inorganic ions, enzymes, urea due to ability to for H bonds with other molecules
acts as a medium for metabolic reactions
acts as a transport medium
why is good about water being cohesive?
H bonds between water molecule so water molecule stick together
Column of water doesn’t break when pulled up a narrow tube e.g. xylem during transpiration
Produces surface tension @ and air water surface
how do hydrogen bonds form between water molecules?
delta negative oxygen atoms attract delta positive hydrogen atoms of other water molecules and form H bonds
