Water Flashcards
What important functions does water have?
Water is a solvent, meaning substances dissolve in it. Most biological reactions take place in solution, so water’s essential.
Water transports substances, like glucose and oxygen, more easily as they’re dissolved in a solvent.
What is the structure of water?
A molecule of water is one atom of oxygen joined to two atoms of hydrogen by shared electrons
How is water a dipolar molecule?
It has a partial negative charge on one side and a partial positive charge on the other
How does hydrogen bonding occur in water?
The slightly negatively-charged oxygen atoms attract the slightly positively-charged hydrogen atoms of other water molecules
Water’s cohesive properties
Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same type. Water molecules are very cohesive because they’re dipolar. This helps water to now, marking it great for transporting substances.
Water’s solvent properties
As water is dipolar, the slightly positive end of a molecule will be attracted to the negative ion, and the slightly negative end will be attracted to the positive ion. This means ions will get surrounded by water molecules.
