Water Structure and Properties

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the structure, properties, and biological significance of water as discussed in the lecture notes.

Cohesion

The attraction between water-water molecules, resulting in surface tension.

Adhesion

The attraction between water and other polar molecules, leading to capillary action.

Capillary Action

The ability of water to climb up spaces against gravity, resulting from cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.

Hydrophilic

Water-loving substances that are polar or charged and soluble in water.

Hydrophobic

Water-hating substances that are non-polar or uncharged and insoluble in water.

Goldilocks Zone

The habitable zone around a star where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist.

Buoyancy

The upward force exerted by fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object.

Viscosity

The resistance of a fluid to flow, indicating how thick or thin the fluid is.

Thermal Conductivity

The ability of a substance to transfer heat when there is a temperature difference.

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of energy required to change the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.

Aquaporins

Proteins that allow the movement of water in and out of a cell.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A structure that makes up the cell membrane, consisting of two layers of phospholipids.