[Unit 1.7] Water Flashcards
biological molecules
why is water polar
O is slightly negative and H is slightly positive
how is ice being less dense than water significant to life
ice forms insulating over water
how is high surface tension significant to life
allows habitats to form on surface
how is water being colourless significant to life
light can pass through for photosynthesis
how is water being liquid at room temperature significant to life
can be used for transport and medium for reactions
how is water being cohesive and high tensile strength significant to life
can be pulled through plants (as molecules held by H bonds)
how is water having high latent heat of vapourisation significant to life
used for cooling organisms by evaporation (sweating)
how is water having high specific heat capacity significant to life
conditions stable in cell
how is water being polar significant to life
ionic substances can dissolve allowing for chemical reactions to take place. (dissolved solutes more reactive when free to move)
