Water (3.1.7) Flashcards
1
Q
What does a water molecule consist of?
A
- Two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom
- It’s a polar molecule
- Weak hydrogen bonds form between water molecules
2
Q
What are the 5 key properties that make water important for organisms?
A
- Is a metabolite in respiration and photosynthesis
- Is a solvent so metabolic reactions can occur
- Has a high specific heat capacity so buffers changes in temperature
- Has a large latent heat of vaporisation so provides a cooling effect through evaporation
- Has cohesion between water molecules so supports columns of water in plants
- Has cohesion between water molecules so produces surface tension supporting small organisms
