water and carbon chemistry

electronegativity

oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. it pulls electrons closer to itself making the oxygen end slightly negative and hydrogen end slightly positive

hydrogen bonds

the partial charges allow water molecules to attract to eachother. weak individually but very strong collectively

cohesion

water sticks to water

adhesion

water sticks to other surfaces

temperature moderation

high specific heat. absorbs/releases a lot of heat before changing temperature. h-bonds must break to increase temp

expansion upon freezing

ice is less dense than liquid water. h-bonds in ice from a rigid spread out lattice

universal solvent

polar water dissolves ionic and polar substances. does not dissolve nonpolar substances

hydroxyl symbol

-OH

hydroxyl property

polar. forms h- bonds. increases solubility

carbonyl symbol

c=o

carbonyl property

polar. found in sugars

carboxyl symbol

-COOH

carboxyl property

acts as an ACID—donates H+

amino symbol

—NH2

amino property

acts as a base. accepts h+

sulfhydryl symbol

-SH

sulfhydryl property

forms disulfide cross links

phosphate symbol

—OPO3²-

phosphate property

negative charge. key in DNA, RNA, ATP and cell signaling

methyl symbol

-CH3

methyl property

nonpolar. affects gene expression