2026 vids osc

• What is the standard state of water at most temperatures on Earth?

  Liquid state
• Why is the liquid state of water important for metabolic reactions in cells?

  Because most metabolic reactions occur with molecules dissolved in solution
• What is the chemical formula for water?

  H2O
• What type of bond exists between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms in a water molecule?

  Covalent bond
• What results from the unequal sharing of electrons in a water molecule?

  Partial charges on the atoms
• What charge does the oxygen atom in a water molecule have?

  Partially negative charge
• What charge do the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule have?

  Partially positive charge
• How is a hydrogen bond formed between water molecules?

  It is an attraction between the partially negative end of one molecule and the partially positive end of another
• What is cohesion in the context of water molecules?

  Attraction between two molecules that are the same
• What process in plants is facilitated by cohesion?

  Transpiration
• What is the role of the xylem in plants?

  It transports water and dissolved minerals
• What happens to water molecules during transpiration?

  Evaporation from stomata pulls other water molecules up through the xylem
• What is the meniscus in a graduated cylinder?

  A U-shaped curve formed by water due to adhesion
• What is adhesion in the context of water molecules?

  Attraction between water molecules and a solid surface
• How does adhesion contribute to transpiration in plants?

  It helps pull water up against gravity in the xylem
• What is a solute?

  What is being dissolved
• What is a solvent?

  A liquid acting as the medium for dissolving something
• What is a solution?

  A homogeneous mixture of a solute and a solvent
• Why is water not considered a universal solvent?

  It cannot dissolve everything, only hydrophilic substances
• What types of substances can water dissolve?

  Polar molecules and ions
• What are hydrophilic substances?

  Water-loving substances that are usually polar or charged
• What are hydrophobic substances?

  Water-hating substances that are nonpolar
• How does water's polarity relate to its role as a solvent?

  Water's polarity allows it to dissolve polar and charged substances
• What is the role of water in the transport systems of plants and animals?

  It serves as a medium for dissolving and transporting substances
• What is buoyancy?

  The upward force exerted by water on an object
• How does buoyancy affect objects in water?

  Less dense objects float while denser objects sink
• What is a swim bladder in fish?

  An organ that helps fish adjust their buoyancy
• What is viscosity in relation to water?

  Water's resistance to flow
• How does viscosity affect the movement of organisms in water?

  Higher viscosity requires more energy to move through water
• What is thermal conductivity in relation to water?

  Water's ability to conduct heat easily
• What is specific heat capacity?

  The amount of heat energy water can absorb without a drastic temperature change
• How does water's high specific heat capacity benefit aquatic organisms?

  It maintains a stable temperature range in their environment
• What is the moderating effect of water?

  Water maintains a relatively narrow temperature range despite external variations
• How do adaptations help organisms deal with water's properties?

  Organisms develop features to utilize or mitigate the effects of water's properties
• How does blubber help seals in aquatic environments?

  It prevents body heat from being lost to the water
• How does the density of air compare to water for flying organisms?

  Air is less buoyant than water, requiring more energy to stay aloft
• What adaptations do birds have for living in air compared to water?

  Birds have features that reduce energy expenditure while flying
• How do aquatic organisms adjust to the properties of water?

  They develop adaptations to manage buoyancy, viscosity, and thermal conductivity
• Why is water considered super important for life on Earth?

  Water is essential for biological processes and supports life.
• What is one hypothesis about how water arrived on Earth?

  Water arrived via asteroids that crashed into Earth.