Biology: Properties of Water

Polarity

Describes if atoms share electrons equally (non) or unequally (polar)

Versatile Solvent

Can dissolve solutes easy because of the opposite charges (+ and -)

Hydrogen Bonding

Attraction between partial positive hydrogen and partial negative oxygen

Adhesion

Water molecules stick to other charged molecules

Cohesion

Water molecules stick to each other

Capillary Action

Water is attracted to charged walls and will adhere to it. Allows trees to soak up water

Surface Tension

Allows liquid to resist external force

Biological Importance of Surface Tension

Water rises in plants

High Specific Heat Capacity

Difficult to change temperature of water

Biological Importance of High Specific Heat Capacity

Moderates temperature so aquatic animals can grow

High Heat of Vaporizaiton

Needs to be very hot to vaporize

Evaporative Cooling

Vaporization = Less Heat In Item

Ice Floats

Hydrogen bonds cool down = lattice structure = less dense

Biological Importance of Ice Floats

The bottom of the planet would be frozen if this didn’t happen