properties of water yada yada yada

What determines the properties of biological molecules

Subcomponents of biological molecules determine the properties of that molecule.

What is the chemical composition of water

Water is oxygen + hydrogen in a 1:2 ratio.

What is a covalent bond

A bond type in which atoms share electrons.

Why does oxygen create polarity in water molecules

Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing unequal sharing of electrons.

How does covalent bonding create polarity in water

When atoms differ in electronegativity, shared electrons are uneven, giving water polarity.

What is a hydrogen bond

A weak bond formed between negative and positive regions of two separate molecules.

What does cohesion mean in water

When molecules of the same type form hydrogen bonds with each other.

Example of cohesion in water

Water drops sticking together on a penny or forming droplets on leaves.

What does adhesion mean in water

When different molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other.

Example of adhesion in water

Water sticking to plant cell walls, helping it climb up stems.

How can hydrogen bonds between water molecules affect water

They can result in surface tension.

Example of surface tension

Insects like water striders walking on the surface of water.

What emergent properties come from cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension

They allow water to demonstrate additional chemical behaviors essential for life.

Example of emergent property of water

Capillary action in plants helps move nutrients upward.

What is surface tension in water

Result of increased hydrogen bonding forces between water molecules at the surface.

What is water’s adhesive property

It gives water a high solvent ability in its liquid state.

Example of adhesion as a solvent

Minerals dissolving in water for plant uptake.

What is water’s cohesive property (liquid state)

Allows strong hydrogen bond interactions in liquid water.

Example of cohesion in liquid state

Water forming droplets instead of spreading flat.

What is water’s cohesive property (solid state)

Allows hydrogen bonding to make ice less dense than liquid water.

Example of cohesion in solid state

Ice floating on lakes, insulating aquatic life in winter.

How does water absorb heat

Water absorbs a lot of thermal energy before changing state, resisting sudden temperature changes.

Example of water’s heat absorption

Oceans moderating coastal climates.

What is capillary action

The combined result of adhesion and cohesion in water.

Example of capillary action

Water traveling up plant roots and stems against gravity.