Properties of Water

Question 1

What is a dipolar molecule?

Answer 1

A molecule which has two opposing poles

Question 2

What is the charge of a water molecule?

Answer 2

No overall charge. The oxygen atom provides a slightly negative pole whilst the hydrogen atoms provide a slightly positive pole

Question 3

What is the bond found in water?

Answer 3

A hydrogen bond between the oxygen and a hydrogen of another molecule of water. It is a relatively weak bond however water contains many of these bonds

Question 4

What are the 5 properties of water?

Answer 4

1. High specific het capacity
2. Large latent heat of vaporisation
3. String cohesion and surface tension
4. Solvent
5. Metabolite

Question 5

What is the biological importance of a high specific heat capacity?

Answer 5

Allows water to act as a buffer against dramatic temperature changes

Question 6

What is the biological importance of a large latent heat of vaporisation?

Answer 6

It allows animals to release energy through vaporised water, or sweat

Question 7

What is the biological importance of a strong cohesion in water?

Answer 7

The slightly charged poles allow the water to be pulled up through xylem tissues in plants

Question 8

What is the biological importance of water being a solvent?

Answer 8

Metabolic reactions take place in solutions faster and substances can be transported around an organism

Question 9

What is the biological importance of water being a metabolite?

Answer 9

Water is used in many metabolic reactions like in hydrolysis reactions of carbohydrates, and photosynthesis

Question 10

What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?

Answer 10

How much energy is used to change 1kg of a substance 1°C
E = M • C • change in temperature