Water

• What is the structure of water?

  • One atom of Oxygen joined to two atoms of Hydrogen by shared electrons
  • Hydrogen is slightly positive, Oxygen is slightly negative
  • Water is a polar molecule
• How do water molecules bond?

  • Hydrogen Bonds form between the Hydrogen of one molecule and the Oxygen of another
• What are the properties of water?

  • Important metabolite
  • Universal solvent
  • High latent heat of vaporisation
  • High specific heat capacity
  • Very cohesive
• Why is water a good metabolite?


  • Many metabolic processes involve condensation/hydrolysis
  • Condensation releases a water molecule to form a bond
  • Hydrolysis adds a water molecule to break a bond
• Why is water considered a good solvent?

  Because it is a polar molecule that can dissolve ions
• What type of molecule is water?

  Polar molecule
• What happens to negative ions in water?

  They are attracted to the hydrogen atoms of water
• What happens to positive ions in water?

  They are attracted to the oxygen atoms of water
• What occurs when ions are placed in water?

  Ions get surrounded by water molecules
• What can mineral ions do in the body due to water's properties?

  They can be dissolved and transported around the body
• What are the key reasons water is a good solvent for ions?

  • Water is a polar molecule
  • Negative ions are attracted to hydrogen
  • Positive ions are attracted to oxygen
  • Ions are surrounded by water molecules
  • Mineral ions can be dissolved and transported in the body
• Why is water’s high latent heat of vaporisation important?

  • Organisms can use water loss through evaporation to cool
  • Water carries away heat energy when it evaporates (sweating)
• Why is water’s high specific heat capacity important?

  Temperature Regulation in humans and aquatic organisms
• Why is water’s high cohesion important?


  • Helps water to flow
  • Allows water to travel through xylem
  • High surface tension allows organisms to walk on surface of water