Water and mass transport

• What does it mean for H2O to be dipolar?

  • Uneven distribution of charge
  • O2 is partially negative
  • H is partially postivie
  • Electrons are pulled more towards O2
• H2O can form hydrogen bonds, what properties does this give H2O?

  • Can form H bonds with other H2O molecules -> cohesive & adhesive (allows for mass flow & transport)
  • Soluble - Can form H bonds with solute molecules -> dissolve ions
• What other properties does H2O have?

  • High specific heat capacity
  • Lots of energy to change temp
  • Withstand drastic changes to enviornment
  • High specific latent capacity of vaporisation
  • Reduce water loss
  • Allows thermoregulation
• Why do we have a mass transport system?

  • To deliver O2 to cells
  • For aerobic respiration to produce glucose
  • We are large/multicellular organisms
  • Smaller SA:V
  • For smaller/unicellular organisms
  • Larger SA:V
  • O2 can diffuse from surroundings through cell membranes