Water Properties Flashcards
Good solvent
Substances can easily dissolve in water due to dipolar H2O mols can get between them
High specific heat capacity
Large amounts of energy needed to to increase 1kg of water by 1 degree
High latent heat of vaporisation
Large amounts of energy needed to change the state of water
Cohesion
Water molecules are attracted to other water molecules
Density
Water in a solid state is less dense then water in a liquid state
Metabolite
It takes part as a reactant or product in many reactions
What is the biological significance of being a good solvent
It acts as a transport medium in blood xylem and phloem
What is the biological significance of a high specific heat capacity
It provides living organisms with temperatures suitable for life on earth it also allows mammals and birds to keep a constant body temperature
What is the biological significance of a high latent heat of vaporisation
It provides a cooling effect for for living organisms for example sweat on the skin
What is the biological significance of cohesion
Surface tensions allows some bugs to glide along the top of the water
What is the biological significance of density
It allows living organisms to live in water when it’s below 0 outside as ice is less dense and only appears at the top
What is the biological significance of a metabolite
It is used in chemical reactions to keep the organism alive such as in photosynthesis
