Water Flashcards
What is the structure of water?
Water is made up of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. It is a dipolar molecule, which means that it contains a positive and negative charge. The oxygen atom has a slightly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms have a slightly positive charge.
What bond forms between water molecules?
Hydrogen bonds.
Why does water have a stable temperature?
Water does not heat up or cool down easily. The molecules are held together quite tightly by hydrogen bonds. It takes energy to break these bonds, and so the high heat capacity provides thermal stability, making water a stable habitat.
Why is water being thermally stable a benifit to organisms?
It creates a stable environment for aquatic organisms.
Why is water being a liquid a benifit to organisms?
It acts as a transport medium in animals and plants.
Why is the low density of ice a benifit to organisms?
Ice floats on water and insulates the water below.
Why is surface tension a benifit to organisms?
Small animals can move across the surface of the water.
Why is cohesion of water a benifit to organisms?
Water molecules form a strong column that moves up the xylem in plants.
Why is water acting as a solvent a benifit to organisms?
Chemicals dissolved in water in the cytoplasm can take part in reactions,
Why is water being metabolic a benifit to organisms?
Water is used to break bonds in hydrolysis and make bonds in condensation reactions.
Why is transparency of water a benifit to organisms?
Water allows light to move through it so aquatic plants can photosynthesise.
