UNIT 1- Water: Structure and Properties

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts about the structure and properties of water, including polarity, cohesion, adhesion, and their biological significance.

Polarity of Water

Water is polar due to oxygen's high electronegativity, with a slightly positive hydrogen and a slightly negative oxygen.

Hydrogen Bonding

The polarity of water causes hydrogen bonding between water molecules, leading to its unique properties.

Cohesion

Cohesion is the tendency of water molecules to stick to one another through hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

Adhesion is the ability of water molecules to stick to other substances, not just water, via hydrogen bonds.

Surface Tension

Water has high surface tension due to hydrogen bonding, enabling some organisms to exploit it.

Transpiration

Transpiration is the process where adhesion allows water molecules to cling to xylem walls, and cohesion pulls them upward against gravity.

Evaporative Cooling

Evaporative cooling is a process where organisms sweat to cool down as water absorbs heat from the body and evaporates.

Density of Ice

Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water due to hydrogen bonds that stabilize its structure.

Insulation by Ice

Ice insulates water below, making it possible for life to exist in aquatic environments during cold temperatures.

Cell Membrane Structure

The cell membrane is structured as a phospholipid bilayer, influenced by its interactions with water, consisting of hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads.