Water Flashcards
Q: Why is water considered a good solvent?
because of its polarity, which allows it to dissolve many polar substances and ions.
Q: What is a hydration shell, and why is it important?
A: A hydration shell is a layer of water molecules that surround a dissolved ion or molecule, stabilizing it in solution, which is crucial for maintaining biochemical processes
Q: How does water function as a solvent in metabolism?
A: Water dissolves reactants and participates in biochemical reactions, making it essential for processes like digestion and cellular respiration.
Q: What makes water an effective solvent in biological systems?
A: Water’s polarity, with a partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on oxygen, allows it to dissolve many polar and ionic substances.
Q: What is a hydration shell, and how does it aid in solubility?
A: A hydration shell is a layer of water molecules surrounding a dissolved ion or molecule, stabilizing it and keeping it in solution.
Q: How does water’s solvent property aid in nutrient transport?
A: Water dissolves nutrients, minerals, and gases, allowing them to be transported through blood and other fluids to cells.
Q: Why is water essential for metabolic reactions?
A: Water acts as a solvent, dissolving reactants and facilitating biochemical reactions like hydrolysis and enzymatic activity
Q: How does water dissolve ionic compounds like salt?
A: Water’s polarity allows it to surround and separate ions (e.g., Na+ and Cl-), dissolving them and keeping them in solution.
Q: How does water’s solvent property affect proteins and enzymes?
A: Water forms hydration shells around proteins and enzymes, stabilizing their structure and function in biological systems.
Q: How does water contribute to pH regulation in the body?
A: Water dissolves acids, bases, and buffers, enabling the body to maintain a stable pH crucial for enzyme activity and cellular processes.
Q: What role does water play in cellular respiration?
A: Water dissolves gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are essential for cellular respiration and energy production.
Q: How does water aid in the digestion process?
A: Water dissolves digestive enzymes and food molecules, facilitating their breakdown and absorption in the digestive tract.
Q: How does water’s solvent property contribute to temperature regulation in organisms?
A: Water’s ability to dissolve a variety of substances allows it to transport heat effectively, helping regulate body temperature.
Q: How do water molecules form hydrogen bonds?
A: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds due to the attraction between the partial positive charge on hydrogen and the partial negative charge on oxygen of another water molecule.
Q: Why are hydrogen bonds important in biological systems?
A: Hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure of DNA, proteins, and other macromolecules, contributing to their function and integrity.
: What is hydrolysis, and what role does water play in it?
A: Hydrolysis is a reaction where water breaks down large molecules into smaller ones by splitting into H+ and OH- ions that attach to the molecule’s broken ends.
Q: How is hydrolysis essential for digestion?
A: Hydrolysis breaks down complex molecules like proteins and carbohydrates into simpler units (e.g., amino acids and sugars) that the body can absorb
