Biomolecules & Water Flashcards
What two type of molecules are there?
- Organic (containing C and H)
- Inorganic
What are examples of organic/inorganic molecules?
- Organic -> polymers, monomers
- Inorganic -> minerals, ions
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
- Breaks down polymers into monomers
- Using a water molecule
- Covalent bonds broken
- Endothermic (anabolic reaction)
What is a condensation reaction?
- Monomers joined together to form polymers
- Releases a water molecule
- Covalent bonds formed
- Exothermic (catabolic reaction)
What word is used to describe the unequal distribution of charge on a water molecule?
- Polar
- Uneven charge distribution leads to the hydrogen bonding between the slightly positive hydrogen atom of one molecule to the slightly negative oxygen atom of another molecule
Why is it good for water to have a high specific heat capacity?
- Stable environment for acquatic organisms
- Thermoregulation
- Stable temp for enzyme controlled reactions
- Cells less prone to damage
Why is it good for water to have a high latent heat of vaporisation?
- Acts as a coolant (sweating, panting, transpiration)
- Water remains liquid over a range of temperatures
Why is it good that water is less dense as a solid?
- Ice floats on water (provides a habitat for terrestrial organisms)
- Ice insulates water from cold air
Why is it good that water acts as a solvent?
- Acts as a transport medium
- Reactant (hydrolysis)
- Reaction medium
What is cohesion?
Cohesion is water molecules having the ability to be attracted to other water molecules
What is adhesion?
Adhesion is water molecules having the ability to be attracted to other substances
Why is it good that water is cohesive?
- Surface tension -> habitat for pond skaters
- Allows for transpiration streams
Why is it good that water is adhesive?
Allows for transpiration -> attraction to xylem walls
What is the name for the substances that are dissolved in a liquid?
Solute
Which property of water allows it to act as a skeleton (called a hydrostatic skeleton), allows organisms to push against it to move (fish swimming), and allows hearts to push water around rather than squashing it?
Incompressible
