Properties and Importance of Water

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the structure, properties, and significance of water in biological systems.

What is the chemical formula for water?

H₂O, which consists of 2 hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to 1 oxygen atom.

What makes water a polar molecule?

Water has an uneven charge distribution, with the oxygen end being slightly negative and the hydrogen end slightly positive.

What is hydrogen bonding?

A weak electrical attraction between a hydrogen atom in one water molecule and the oxygen atom in another.

Why does ice float on water?

Ice is less dense than liquid water because it forms a rigid lattice structure with hydrogen bonds.

What is high specific heat capacity?

It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C, allowing water to stabilize temperatures.

How does water's solvent property benefit biological systems?

Water dissolves many polar and ionic substances, facilitating chemical reactions and transport of nutrients in living organisms.

What is meant by the term 'cohesion' in water?

Cohesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to each other, resulting in high surface tension.

What role does water play in temperature regulation for organisms?

Water helps maintain a stable temperature for organisms, preventing rapid temperature fluctuations.

Define hydrophilic substances.

Substances that are attracted to and dissolve easily in water due to their polarity.

Define hydrophobic substances.

Substances that repel water and do not dissolve in it, often lacking polar groups.