water and its properties

bio test

condensation

when water is formed as one of the products when two molecules join together

hydrolysis

when water reacts with a chemical to break it into smaller molecules

water as a metabolite

is in many reactions either as a reactant, or as a product

polar covalent bonds

bonds between a oxygen atom and hydrogen atom

hydrogen bonds

hydrogen of one water molecule connected to oxygen of another water molecule

cohesion of water

tendency of water molecules to stick to each other

• surface tension at water surface

• allows organisms to move on water

• enables to move against gravity in narrow spaces

adhesion of water

tendency of water to stick to other polar or charged substances, combined effects of cohesion and adhesion:

• enables capillary action in narrow tube

• allows water to move through gravity in small spaces

water is a solvent due to its

polarity and hydrogen bonding

• dissolves polar molecules and ions

• create soluble solutions for biochemical reactions

• facilitates chemical reactions

• enables transport of nutrients and waste in organisms

physical properties of water

• High heat capacity

• high heat of vaporization

consequences for aquatic animals

• helps maintain body temperature in water bodies

• provides a stable environment

• supports solubility of dissolved gasses (ex: oxygen) for respiration

adaptations for animals

• specialized respiratory structures for gas exchange

• mechanisms to regulate water balance in different salinities

buoyancy

ability of water to hold something up (upward motion of gravity)

viscosity

thickness of a liquid to flow

specific heat capacity

how much energy is required to change the temperature and phase of a substance