Water Flashcards
Name some properties of water
Cohesive Large latent heat of vapourisation. Dipolar (uneven distribution of charge) Transparent Solvent High heat capacity Metabolite
Why is transparency important in regards to water?
As light can travel through bodies of water or cells so that aquatic plants can photosynthesise.
Why is water useful for support and give an example.
It isn’t easily compressed therefore can be used for support in hydrostatic skeletons for example.
In a water molecule the hydrogens are slightly ….. whilst the oxygen is slightly…..
Hydrogens are slightly positive and oxygen is slightly negative.
Why does water take a long time to heat or freeze?
As it is thermostable due to the hydrogen bonds being able to absorb lots of energy so often resists the increase in kinetic energy.
Why does ice float on water?
As when freezing water expands, meaning that the water molecules are further apart so less dense.
Give an example of why it is useful for water to be adhesive?
For example in a xylem, water molecules can quickly be taken up the plant against gravity.
What useful property is linked to us sweating?
The high latent heat of vapourisation means that lots of energy is needed for you to sweat which you then transfer into the surroundings and cool down.
Water is a solvent. What is a solvent?
Something that can dissolve other substances.
Water is a metabolite. What does this mean?
Part of a metabolic reaction.
Give a different example of how water can be used for protection?
In amniotic fluid as it provides protection and support for foetuses.
Water is used to split ….. molecules into ……. molecules.
Water is used to split larger molecules into smaller molecules.
Water molecules are ……….. bonded.
Water molecules are covalently bonded.
Water molecules are often described as what shaped?
V shaped.
What is a metabolite?
A substance involved in a metabolic reaction
What is cohesion?
Attraction between the same type of molecule.
Name the two metabolic reactions water is commonly used in?
Condensation and Hydrolysis
What property of water makes it a useful solvent?
The polarity of water means that ions become surrounded by water molecules and therefore are dissolved.
How does High heat capacity affect water molecules?
It means they can resist changes in temperature as Hydrogen bonds absorb a lot of energy.
What makes water so cohesive?
The polarity.
How is water useful for transporting substances?
Due to strong cohesive forces water can flow which can help when transporting substances up the xylem.
Give a function for Phosphate ions?
Essential in ATP and DNA as they allow nucleotides to join up to form the polynucleotides.
Bonds between phosphate groups that store energy in ATP.
Give a function of Iron ions?
Haemoglobin is made up of 4 different polypeptide chains with an iron ion in the centre.
Its the Fe2+ that binds to the oxygen.
What it the function of Haemoglobin?
To carry oxygen around the body in the red blood cells.
What is the importance of a Magnesium ion?
Found in chlorophyll
What is the importance of a Calcium iron?
HARDENS bones/ part of synaptic transmission
What is the importance of Phosphate ions?
Component in Nucleic acids/ DNA
