water and inorganic ions

Question 1

what is the structure of water?

Answer 1

the hydrogen and oxygen atoms form covalent bonds

Question 1

why are water molecules polar?

Answer 1

2 hydrogen atoms are partially positive and the oxygen are partially negatively charged

Question 2

why is hydrogen bonding important to water?

Answer 2

high latent heat of vaporisation so liquid at room temp, high specific heat capacity, solvent, cohesive supports column of water and provides surface tension

Question 3

important properties of water?

Answer 3

meteorite, universal solvent which is important for metabolic reactions to occur. High specific heat capacity, buffer changes in temp. High latent heat of vaporisation so has a strong cooling effect. strong cohesive force, so supports columns of water and provides surface tension.

Question 4

important properties of water for plants

Answer 4

polar, solvent, reactive, acts as a transport medium, transparent and is less dense then liquid water

Question 5

iron ions

Answer 5

essential as they can find to oxygen (haemoglobin) also responsible for the transfer of electrons during respiration and photosynthesis

Question 6

sodium ions

Answer 6

need for the transport of glucose and amino acids across cell surface membrane

Question 7

phosphate ions

Answer 7

an essential part of DNA, RNA and ATP and found in phospholipids

Question 8

hydrogen ions

Answer 8

concentration determines the pH, important for emzyme controlled reaction