Biological molecules - Water

• How do hydrogen bonds from between water molecules?

  An attraction between slightly negatively charged oxygen and slightly positively charged hydrogen atoms of different water molecules
• What is the significance of water's high specific heat capacity for aquatic habitats?


  It prevents rapid temperature changes, creating a stable environment
• What does high latent heat of evaporation mean for water?


  It requires a lot of energy to break hydrogen bonds during evaporation
• How does high latent heat of evaporation benefit mammals?


  It prevents rapid heat loss when water evaporates
• What is cohesion in the context of water molecules?


  The attraction between molecules of the same type
• Why are water molecules cohesive?


  Because they are polar
• How does water's cohesion assist in the transpiration stream in plants?


  It helps water to flow and be transported up plant stems
• Why is water a good solvent

  Because its polar nature allows it to surround and dissolve ions
• Why is ice less dense than liquid water?

  Because water molecules are held further apart in ice due to hydrogen bonds forming a lattice shape
• What is the ecological significance of ice floating on water?


  It forms an insulating layer, preventing the water below from freezing
• What are the properties of water?

  • High specific heat capacity
  • High latent heat of evaporation
  • Cohesive
  • Good solvent for ionic substances
  • Less dense when solid (ice floats)