Water Properties Flashcards
Latent heat of vaporisation?
Water has a high boiling point
Why is high latent heat of vaporisation important?
The cytoskeleton of eukaryotes and prokaryotes need to be kept at a constant temp so enzymes can work at optimum temp.
Why is water less dense when it freezes?
Hydrogen bonds expand when water freezes.
What do ice molecules form?
A hexagonal crystal lattice.
Molecules have less kinetic energy at a lower temp. So hydrogen bonds are stable.
High specific heat capacity of water?
Water takes more energy to heat than land. This means that it retains heat well.
Cohesion?
Water molecules “stick” together.
What is capillary action?
Small thin vessels of water rise up against gravity.
Due to cohesion and adhesion (water properties)
Water is a good solvent?
Dissolves things in it. Important for transport (e.g. mineral ions)
Why is water as a solvent important?
- Medium for metabolic reactions
- Allows ionic compounds to separate
- Allows transport system (blood, xylem, tissue fluid)
- Dilutes toxic substances
- Allows organisms to absorb gases
Why is transparency of water important?
Allows light to penetrate aquatic environments, enabling aquatic plants to photosynthesise.
