Chapter 2.2 Water and pH Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on the properties of water, polar covalent bonding, hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior, the pH scale, acids, bases, and physiological buffers.

Hydrophilic

"Water loving"; refers to substances that readily form hydrogen bonds with water and can be dissolved.

Hydrophobic

"Water fearing"; refers to substances that do not readily form hydrogen bonds and cannot be dissolved in water.

High Heat Capacity

A property of water where it absorbs a great deal of energy before its temperature rises, which moderates temperature changes within organisms and in their environments.

Solvent

A substance capable of dissolving another substance.

Cohesion

The attraction of water molecules to each other, responsible for surface tension.

Adhesion

The attraction of water molecules to other molecules, responsible for capillary action.

Density (of Water)

The property of water to be less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state.

pH

A measure of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a given solution.

Bases

Substances that readily donate hydroxide ($OH^-$), which combine with $H^+$ to produce water.

Acid Strength

A characteristic where the stronger the acid, the more readily it donates hydrogen ($H^+$).

Cellular pH Range

The narrow window of the pH scale within which most cells in our bodies operate, typically ranging from $7.2$ to $7.6$.

Buffers

Substances that readily absorb excess $H^+$ or $OH^-$ to keep the pH of the body carefully maintained within a narrow range.