BIO 120 u1 p1.5

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the properties of water as discussed in the lecture.

Polarity of Water

Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds.

Hydration Shell

A structure formed when water molecules surround ions or polar molecules, facilitating their dissolution in water.

Solvent

A substance in which another substance (solute) is dissolved, creating a solution.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solvent (e.g., salt in water).

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which the composition is uniform throughout, such as a solution where the solute is evenly distributed in the solvent.

Hydrophobic Molecule

A molecule that does not interact well with water and does not dissolve in it, typically nonpolar.

Hydrophilic Molecule

A molecule that interacts well with water and easily dissolves in it, usually polar.

pH Scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral.

Buffer

A substance that helps to maintain a constant pH in a solution by either absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions.

Ocean Acidification

The process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide, affecting marine life.

Hydrogen Ion (H+)

An ion formed when a hydrogen atom loses its electron, contributing to the acidity of a solution.

Hydroxide Ion (OH-)

An ion formed when water dissociates, consisting of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom, indicative of basicity in a solution.

Buoyancy

The ability of an object to float in a fluid due to differences in density.

High Specific Heat

A property of water that allows it to absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature, important for regulating climate.

Surface Tension

The cohesive force at the surface of water that allows it to resist external force, helping small objects to float.

Cohesion and Adhesion

Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance (water molecules), while adhesion is the attraction between different substances (water to plant surfaces).