Hydrogen Bonds and Water Properties

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to hydrogen bonding, properties of water, pH, and biological relevance.

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak interactions between hydrogen and electronegative atoms, constantly made and broken.

Hydrogen Bonds in Ice

Molecules in ice are frozen farther apart compared to liquid water.

Cohesion

Attraction between water molecules, allowing them to stick together via hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

Attraction between water molecules and other polar surfaces via hydrogen bonds.

Surface Tension

Resistance to external force due to cohesive nature of water; allows some insects to walk on water.

Hydrophobic

Describes substances that repel water and do not mix with it.

Hydrophilic

Describes substances that are attracted to water and mix with it.

Capillary Action

The ability of water to move upward through small spaces, important for plant water transport.

Specific Heat of Water

Water's ability to absorb a large amount of heat with only a slight change in temperature.

High Heat of Vaporization

The amount of energy required to convert 1 gram of liquid water to gas, approx. 540 cal/g.

pH Scale

A measure of acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14.

Acidic Solution

A solution with pH less than 7, where [H+] is greater than [OH-].

Basic Solution

A solution with pH greater than 7, where [OH-] is greater than [H+].

Buffer

A solution that resists changes in pH by absorbing excess H+ or OH-.

Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate Buffer System

A buffer system that maintains blood pH around 7.4, critical for survival.

Dissociation of Water

The separation of water molecules into hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).

Importance of Water in Living Systems

Essential for respiration, DNA replication, protein synthesis, digestion, and homeostasis.

Temperature Regulation of Water

Water's ability to stabilize temperatures of organisms and environments due to its specific heat.

Inhalation Mechanism

The process where the diaphragm contracts to enlarge the thoracic cavity, lowering pressure and drawing air in.

Ice Floats

Ice's lower density allows it to float, providing insulation for aquatic life underneath.

Water's Role in Homeostasis

Water plays a key role in maintaining the stable internal environment of organisms.

Hydrogen Ion (H+)

A proton, which contributes to the acidity of a solution.

Effects of Temperature on Water

Water temperature influences solubility, density, and biological activities in aquatic systems.

Evaporative Cooling

The process of cooling caused by the evaporation of water, important for temperature regulation in organisms.

Systems Biology

The study of complex interactions within biological systems, often focusing on the interactions of various components.

Lung Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse during exhalation.

Enzyme Activity and pH

Most enzymes require specific pH ranges to function optimally; extreme changes can lead to denaturation.

pH Range for Survival

Human blood must maintain a pH range of 7.0 to 7.8 for health and survival.

Stomata Function

Tiny openings on plant leaves that facilitate gas exchange and regulate water loss.

Water's High Vaporization Energy

Water requires significantly more energy to vaporize compared to substances like ethanol.

Anatomy of Breathing

Inhalation involves coordinated contraction of the diaphragm and rib muscles to increase lung volume.

Water as a Solvent

Water's polar nature allows it to dissolve a wide range of substances, making it a universal solvent.

Hydration Shell

The arrangement of water molecules surrounding a solute particle in solution.