Biological Molecules - Water And Ingornic Ions Flashcards
What are the six functions of water in short?
– Polar molecule.
– Metabolite.
– Solvent.
– High heat specific capacity.
– Relatively large latent heat of vaporisation.
– Strong cohesion.
Water is a polar molecule. Why is it a polar molecule and what is the benefit of this?
It is a poem molecule due to the uneven distribution of charge within the molecule (the oxygen atom attract electrons a bit more strongly than the hydrogen atom) the only equal sharing of electrons gives the water molecule slightly negative charge its oxygen atom and a slight positive charge it hydrogen atom.
Water is a metabolite. Why and what is the benefit of this?
In metabolic reactions, such as a condensation and hydrolysis which are used in forming and breaking of chemical bonds.
Water is a solvent. Why and what is the benefit of this?
Allowing gases to readily diffuse as well as enzymes and waste products.
Water has a high heat specific capacity. Why and what is the benefit of this?
This is because water molecules stick together with hydrogen bonds meaning that a lot of energy is required to break these bonds. This helps to minimise temperature fluctuations in living things therefore it acts as a buffer.
Water has a relatively large latent heat of vaporisation. Why and what is the benefit of this?
Hydrogen bonding means that it requires a lot of energy to evaporate 1 g of water therefore water has a relatively large latent heat of vaporisation meaning of evaporation of water provide a cooling affect with little water loss.
Water has strong cohesion between molecules. Why and what is the benefit of this?
Strong Asian between molecules enables effective transport of water in tube like the xylem. the strong cohesion supports columns of water as a result of strong cohesion. The surface tension at the water air boundary is high.
What is an inorganic ion?
Compounds that do not contain carbon obtained from minerals used in many vital cellular processes.
What are the four essential inorganic ions you need to know in short?
- Hydrogen ions.
- Iron ions.
- Sodium ions.
- Phosphate ions.
What are the function of hydrogen ions?
They determine the pH of substances such as blood the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions the lower the pH.
What is the function of iron ions?
They are a component of haemoglobin, which is an oxygen carrying molecule in red blood cells.
What are the function of sodium ions?
There are involved in co-transport of glucose and amino acids.
What are the function of phosphate ions?
They are a component of DNA and ATP.
