Water Flashcards
What does a water molecule consist of?
2 hydrogen molecules covalently bonded to an oxygen molecule.
Why is there attraction between water molecules?
Due to them being polar
What is the attraction between water molecules called?
A hydrogen bond
Why is water being a liquid medium important?
It provides habitats for aquatic organisms, medium for chemical reactions and is used for transport.
Why is water an important metabolite?
It is used in hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
Why is water’s high specific heat capacity important?
It keeps aquatic and cellular environments stable.
Why is water’s high latent heat of vaporisation important?
Evaporation has a cooling effect on organisms.
Why is water’s cohesive property important?
It allows water to be drawn up the xylem.
Why is surface tension on water important?
Allows pond skaters to walk on the surface
Why is it important that water is a good solvent and transport medium?
It dissolves ionic and polar molecules, allowing them to be easily transported.
Why is it important that water is a good reaction medium?
The cytoplasm in cells is an aqueous solution where many chemical reactions happen.
Why is it important that water is incompressible?
It can prevent plants from wilting and acts as a hydrostatic skeleton for invertebrates.
