Lec. 3 - Water Properties and pH

Question 1

Describe the special properties of water; explain why each of these properties is important.

Answer 1

Water can adhere to other molecules, it can adhere to itself, it’s a good solvent, hydrophobic and hydrophilic, dense, has a high specific heat and a high heat vaporization.

Question 1

Explain pH; what is it’s importance as it relates to the human body; how do we measure it and what are we measuring?

Answer 1

pH is the measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions. It relates to the body because it is important for digestion and an imbalance can change the sequence of proteins. Measures potential (power of) hydrogen.

Question 2

Compare acids and bases; relate these to water, explain the role of buffers.

Answer 2

Acids have more H+ and bases have more OH-. More H+ = lower pH and less H+ = more pH. A buffer is a chem. system that prevents radical change in fluid pH by dampening the change in hydrogen ion concentrations.

Question 3

Explain hydrophilic and hydrophobic; why are these properties important, how do they affect protein folding and location in a cell.

Answer 3

Hydrophobic molecules don’t interact well with water, hydrophilic molecules do react well with water. Both are vital to the structure of the components of microorganisms. The way they are arranged in a protein determines the folded structure.