Water Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 5 properties of water
A
- Metabolite
- Solvent
- Relatively high SHC
- Relatively large latent heat of vaporisation
- Strong cohesion between molecules
2
Q
Why is being a metabolite useful
A
- allows reactions to occur
- including condensation & hydrolysis
3
Q
Why is being solvent useful
A
- allows metabolic reactions to occur
- transports metabolites in the blood between cells
4
Q
Why is having a high SHC useful
A
- buffers changes in temp. E.g. in lakes making them habitable
5
Q
Why is having a large latent heat of vaporisation useful
A
- cooling effect through evaporation (sweating & transpiration)
6
Q
Why is having strong cohesion between molecules useful
A
- supports column of water: transpiration stream in the xylem
- produces surface tension at air - water interface: allows animals to move over surface of water
