Bio 2.1.2 Water and Inorganic Ions

What percentage of a cell's contents is made up of water?

About 80%

What is one important function of water in living organisms?

Water acts as a reactant in important chemical reactions.

How does water function as a solvent?

Water dissolves many substances, allowing biological reactions to occur in solution.

What property of water helps with temperature control?

Water has a high specific heat capacity.

Why is water considered a habitat for many organisms?

Water provides a stable environment due to its temperature control and density properties.

What is the chemical structure of a water molecule?

One oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms (H2O).

What charge does the oxygen atom in a water molecule carry?

A slight negative charge.

What is hydrogen bonding in water?

Attraction between the slightly negatively charged oxygen of one water molecule and the slightly positively charged hydrogen of another.

What is specific heat capacity?

The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 °C.

What is the latent heat of evaporation?

The amount of energy required to break hydrogen bonds and convert water from liquid to gas.

How does water's polarity contribute to cohesion?

Water molecules attract each other due to their polar nature, allowing them to stick together.

What is the role of water as a solvent in biological processes?

Water surrounds and dissolves ionic substances, facilitating biological reactions.

Why is ice less dense than liquid water?

Ice forms a lattice structure with hydrogen bonds that holds molecules further apart.

What is an inorganic ion?

An atom or group of atoms with an electric charge that does not contain carbon.

What is the chemical symbol for calcium?

Ca2+

What is the role of sodium ions in biological processes?

Important for generating nerve impulses and regulating fluid balance.

What does potassium ion do in the body?

Involved in muscle contraction and nerve impulse generation.

What is the role of hydrogen ions (H+) in solutions?

Affects the pH; more H+ ions create an acidic solution.

What is the chemical symbol for nitrate?

NO3-

What is the function of phosphate ions in biological systems?

Involved in the synthesis of nucleotides and ATP.

How do chloride ions help maintain blood pH?

Involved in the 'chloride shift' during gas exchange.

What is the chemical symbol for hydroxide?

OH-

What is the significance of ammonium ions (NH4+)?

Important source of nitrogen for plants.

What is the role of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the body?

Acts as a buffer to maintain blood pH.

What are the properties of water that make it essential for life?

High specific heat capacity, high latent heat of evaporation, cohesion, and polarity.

How does water's ability to dissolve ionic substances benefit living organisms?

It allows for the transport of essential ions and nutrients in biological systems.

Why is water important for temperature stability in aquatic environments?

Its high specific heat capacity prevents rapid temperature changes.

What happens to water molecules when they freeze?

They form a lattice structure, making ice less dense than liquid water.