Water

• 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?

  Most reactions occur with molecules in solution
• What type of bond exists between oxygen and hydrogen in a water molecule?

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

  Partial charges on oxygen and hydrogen
• How is a hydrogen bond represented in diagrams?

  With a dashed or dotted line
• What is a hydrogen bond?

  Attraction between partial charges of different molecules
• What property of water allows it to exhibit cohesion?

  Hydrogen bonding between water molecules
• What is cohesion in the context of water?

  Attraction between water molecules
• What process in plants is driven by cohesion?

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

  Transport water and dissolved minerals
• How does evaporation from stomata affect water transport in plants?

  It pulls other water molecules up through cohesion
• What is the meniscus in a graduated cylinder?

  Curved surface of water in the tube
• What causes capillary action in water?

  Adhesion between water and solid surfaces
• What is adhesion in the context of water?

  Attraction between water and solid surfaces
• Why is water considered a good solvent?

  It dissolves hydrophilic substances effectively
• What is a solute?

  Substance being dissolved
• What is a solvent?

  Liquid that dissolves a solute
• What is the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances?

  Hydrophilic loves water; hydrophobic hates water
• Why is water's polarity important for life?

  It allows water to dissolve many substances
• How does water's buoyancy affect aquatic organisms?

  It allows them to float with less energy
• What is buoyancy?

  Upward force exerted by water on objects
• How do fish adjust their buoyancy?

  By filling or deflating their swim bladder
• What is viscosity in relation to water?

  Water's resistance to flow
• How does viscosity affect fish swimming?

  It requires energy to move through water
• What is thermal conductivity?

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

  Water absorbs heat without drastic temperature change
• How does water's moderating effect benefit aquatic organisms?

  It maintains stable temperatures in water
• How does blubber help seals in water?

  It prevents heat loss to the environment
• How do adaptations differ between aquatic and aerial organisms?

  Aquatic organisms need buoyancy; aerial organisms need less resistance
• Why do organisms in aquatic habitats have different adaptations?

  To cope with water's physical properties