Water Flashcards
Unit 2, Biomolecules
What are living things composed of?
Mainly Water
1. Carbonhydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
What is water made up of?
Water is made of 2 H atoms bonded to an Oxygen atom (H20)
Define polarity of a molecule
It refers to the differences in charges at opposite ends
Define Cohesion
Mutual attraction between water molecules, causing them to “stick together.”
What causes a high cohesive strength?
A large numbers of H bonds water has
Is water adhesive?
Yes, water molecule is able to stick to other polar or charged molecules
What does water’s attraction to charged or polar surfaces allow?
They allow water to flow in opposition to gravitational forces. (Capillary action)
What does strength of the capillary action depend on?
It will be dependent on the diameter of the pore, the water moves (smaller the diameter, more action)
What causes the H bonds to form and release energy?
Air being replaced by water in the capillary tube.
What creates the suction force?
The suction force is created due to the attraction of water to other surfaces.
Define Transpiration pull
A movement of water up and out the top of plants.
Define metabolism
Collective of enzyme catalyzed reations in the cytoplasm
What diffuses more efficiently in water?
Reactants and products, making reactions more likely to happen
Transportation in vascular plants
Mineral ions are transported via xylem vessels while dissolved nutrients are transported via the phloem
What does blood plasma transport?
They transport dissolved solutes; amino acids, glucose, wastes, Na+ and Cl- ions, an da small amount of O2, and CO2 gases.
Example of a non water-soluble substance
Lipids, they are non-polar and large so completely insoluble.
How can lipids be transported?
They must be packaged with proteins and a phospholipid layer that can be transported via the blood.
Define Solvation
It is a process by which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute molecules
Why do polar solutes dissolve?
They dissolve due to attraction
Define Buoyancy
Upward force exerted by a fluid on an object that is determined by the density of the medium.
What allows objects to float?
Water being more dense than air so having greater upward force
Define Viscosity
A measure of a fluid stendance to flow
Define Thermal Conductivity
Rate at which heat passes through a material
What makes a water good insulator?
Water has a high conductivity especially compared to air and fats/oils
How can water temperatures remain stable?
Water has a higher specific heat capacity than air as its hydrogen bonds require additional energy to break
Leading theory of water?
Leading theory is that water was delivered by asteriods colliding wiht earch and these asteriods contained more water than current asteriods do
Define Goldilocks Zone
It is the habitable range around a star where the right temperatures would exist for liquid water and hence life.
What does the Goldilocks zone depend on?
THey depend on the size and temperature of the star. Also the size, gravity and atmospheric pressure of the planet
How can loons float on water?
The loon has hollow bones which are less dense
Why do loons have difficulty walking on land
Becuase their legs are located at the rear to better propel them through water (higher viscosity)
What prevents loons from heat loss?
Loon’s feathers that form an interlocking structure that functions as a barrier to water (Water has higher thermal conductivity)
What allows ringed sesals to submerge?
The seal has denser bones than the loon, allowing it to stay submerged upon diving (less buoyant)
What allows seal to better propel through water
The seal possessing a stremlined body (Higher viscosity than air)
What prevents seal from heat loss while in the water
Ringed seals have an outer coat of fur that traps air for waterproofing and also has a thick layer of blubber
What makes seal vulnerable to climate change
Ringed seals do not have many effective cooling mechanisms becuase water temperatures are generally stable
