Water Flashcards
Is water an inorganic ion?
It is an inorganic compound because it does not contain carbon and it was not formed by a living organism.
Define dipole
one side is slightly positive, one slightly negative
what structures do water molecules form and how are they held together?
a lattice structure and are held together by hydrogen bonds
How is surface tension formed?
water molecules are tightly pulled towards each other, the cohesiveness of the water molecules forms a skin
How does the water’s colourless properties affect living organisms?
light can pass through cells and therefore plants and algi can photosynthesise
How does the density of ice affect living organisms?
it insulates the water below ensuring that living organisms can survive during winter
How does the strong cohesive properties of water affect living organisms?
water can be pulled through plants in a column as the water molecules are held together by H-bonds
How does the water being liquid at room temperature affect living organisms?
can be used for transport and a medium for reactions
how does the high latent heat of vapourisation affect living organisms?
can be used for cooling organisms by evaporation (eg sweat)
how does the high specific heat capacity affect living organisms?
conditions are stable in cells and aquatic environments
