Water

• Explain how hydrogen bonds occur between water molecules

  ● Water is polar molecule

  ● Slightly negatively charged oxygen atoms attract slightly positively charged hydrogen atoms of other water molecules
• Explain Metabolite as a property of water that is important in biology


  Used in condensation / hydrolysis/ photosynthesis / respiration
• Explain Solvent as a property of water that is important in biology


  1.Allows metabolic reactions to occur (faster in solution)

  2. Allows transport of substances eg. nitrates in xylem, urea in blood
• Explain High specific heat capacity as a property of water that is important in biology


  ● Buffers changes in temperature

  ● As can gain / lose a lot of heat / energy without changing temperature

  1. Good habitat for aquatic organisms as temperature more stable than land

  2. Helps organisms maintain a constant internal body temperature
• Explain High latent heat of vaporisation as a property of water that is important in biology


  ● Allows effective cooling via evaporation of a small volume (eg. sweat)

  ● So helps organisms maintain a constant internal body temperature
• Explain Strong cohesion between water molecules as a property of water that is important in biology


  1.Supports columns of water eg. transpiration stream through xylem in plants

  2. Produces surface tension, supporting small organisms (to walk on water)
• Properties of Water

  1. Metabolite
  2. Solvent
  3. High specific heat capacity
  4. High latent heat of vaporisation
  5. Strong cohesion