water and life

polarity of H2O

→ caused by the electronegativity of oxygen

—>allows formation of structure

cohesion

→ H-bonding between like molecules cause surface tension (need to physically break the bonds)

adhesion

→ bonding between unlike molecules

→ adhesion of H2O to vessel walls counter gravitational pull downwards

transpiration

movement of H2O up plant vessel for water transport
→ cohesion brings molecules up

→ adhesion attaches molecules to sides (xylem tubes)

→osmosis

heat

total amount of kinetic energy

• large bodies of water are more resistant to temp change (help living organisms maintain homeostasis

temperature

measure intensity of heat due to average kinetic energy of molecules

→temp to vaporize = 100

→ water moderates temp by absorbing heat from the warm air and releasing it in the night to cool the air

high specific heat

the change in temperature when water absorbs or loses heat

large bodies of water absorb the heat in the day time and release it in the night

water has high heat capacity (3.04)

evaporative cooling

water has high heat of vaporisation

insulation by ice

• ice is less dense then water causing it to float and insulate the water underneath it

buffers

minis change in concentration of H and OH

carbonic acid helps as a buffer in blood plasma

ocean acidification

co2 from air mixes with carbon dioxide in water creating h2co3 which increases the hydrogen concentration in the water

• slows the rate that the coral reef generals calcium carbonate so that slows the growth

water solvency

• nutrients can dissolve in water

• water transports the nutrients (ex: in circulatory system)