water and bonding

• What are some functions of water in living organisms?

  Transport of substances, cooling, excretion, and support in plant tissues.
• What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?

  75%
• Why is water considered a dipolar molecule?

  Because it has a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom and slight positive charges on the hydrogen atoms.

  
• What is the significance of hydrogen bonding in water?

  It causes water's unusual properties, such as cohesion and high specific heat capacity.

  
• How strong are hydrogen bonds compared to covalent bonds?

  Hydrogen bonds are about 1/10th the strength of covalent bonds.
• What role does water's high specific heat capacity play in aquatic habitats?

  It helps maintain thermally stable environments with less rapid temperature changes.
• How does hydrogen bonding contribute to water's ability to act as a solvent?

  Polarity allows water to dissolve ionic compounds easily.

  
• What happens to water molecules when they freeze?

  They form a crystal lattice structure, making ice less dense than liquid water.
• What are the unusual properties of water due to its dipolar nature and hydrogen bonding?

  • Cohesion and surface tension
  • High specific heat capacity
  • High latent heat of evaporation
  • Ability to dissolve ionic compounds

  
• What are monomers and polymers?

  Monomers are small molecules that serve as building blocks for polymers, which are large molecules made of chains of monomers.
• What is the process called when monomers are joined together to form polymers?

  Condensation reactions.
• What is hydrolysis?

  It is the process of breaking down polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule.
• What is the difference between alpha-glucose and beta-glucose?

  The arrangement of molecules around the first carbon atom in the ring differs between the two forms.
• How does glucose function as an energy source in organisms?

  It is soluble, small, and can be readily respired to release energy.