Water and carbon chemistry Flashcards
What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by water?
Approximately 3/4 of Earth’s surface is covered by water.
What percentage of the human body’s mass is composed of water?
Water makes up about 55-65% of the mass of the human body.
Why is water considered essential for life?
Life as we know it cannot exist without water due to its role in biochemical reactions, cellular functions, and as a medium for life processes.
What are some functions of water in the human body?
Water forms saliva, aids in brain function, maintains mucosal membrane moisture, supports cellular activities, eliminates waste through urine, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and facilitates nutrient transport.
What percentage of the body’s weight is composed of water?
Approximately 60% of the body’s weight is water.
Differentiate between intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).
ICF is found inside cells, comprising about 65% of body water, while ECF surrounds cells and includes plasma (7%) and interstitial fluid (28%).
How do we gain water in the body?
Water is gained through drinking, food consumption, and metabolic processes.
Name some ways the body loses water.
The body loses water through urine, insensible loss (skin and breathing), feces, and minimal sweat.
What regulates voluntary water intake?
Thirst serves as an important control mechanism for voluntary water intake.
How do the kidneys regulate water balance?
The kidneys control water balance by adjusting urine output based on changes in blood volume and pressure, regulated by hormones like Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH).
What type of molecule is water, and what bonds hold its molecules together?
Water is a polar molecule held together by hydrogen bonds between its molecules.
Explain the concept of electronegativity and its significance in bond polarity.
Electronegativity is an atom’s ability to attract electrons, influencing the unequal distribution of electrons in covalent bonds, thus determining bond polarity.
How do hydrogen bonds contribute to the high melting and boiling points of water?
Hydrogen bonds between water molecules require significant energy to break, resulting in high melting and boiling points compared to molecules of similar mass.
What is heat capacity, and why is water’s high heat capacity important?
Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance. Water’s high heat capacity allows it to absorb heat without significant temperature changes, helping regulate body temperature.
What is the basis of organic chemistry, and why is carbon important?
Carbon is the basis of organic chemistry and life due to its ability to form stable covalent bonds, providing the backbone for most biological molecules.
