University:
Indiana University East
Course:
BIOL-L 101 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I
Academic year:

2020
Views:

385

Pages:

2
Author:

folclord7m

Properties of water that contribute to its role as a solvent in living organisms: Properties of Water ➔ Water is less dense at 0°C compared to 4°C ---Icefloats. ➔ Water provides structural support due to its inability to be compressed ---Turgid Pressure. ➔ The charged ends of a water molecule allow it to surround a solute in solution ---Solvent. ➔ The temperature of water rises slowly due to its high specific heat; requiring a lot of energy to convert liquid water to water vapor ---Evaporative cooling. ➔ While hydrogen bonds are constantly breaking and reforming, a large percentage of the hydrogen bonds between water molecules exist at all times ---Cohesive force. ➔ Due to hydrogen bonding, water tends to adhere to surfaces, such as the lining of the digestive tract ---Lubricant. ➔ The addition of water can break apart molecules into two smaller molecules ---Hydrolysis. ➔ Water is formed when two molecules come together to form a large molecule ---Dehydration reaction. The best summary of the properties of water islessdense at 0 room temperature ,ideal solvent for biological molecules ,absorbs considerable heat energy without raising temperature ,andhigh percentage of hydrogen bonds. o C than at Water (HO) is critical to sustain life. One of its major roles is creating and breaking bonds in chemical reactions. Other significant roles of water includeacting as a solvent in thetransport of dissolved substances around the body & the protection and support of organs. Transportation of water ➔ Water is transported from the ground to the branches and leaves of a tree: Water for life ➔ Ten to twenty percent of the body weight in humans is from water. (F) ➔ Water is the universal solvent, transporting dissolved substance in bodily fluids. (T) ➔ Weather bathes organs in fluid, which provides protection and support.(T) ➔ The high specific heat of water means that we only lose a small amount of heat when the sweat on our skin evaporates. (F) ➔ Water plays a major role in our bodies’ chemical reactions. (T) ➔ Water plays a much more important role in plants than in animals, due to the role of water in photosynthesis. (F) Organisms Use of the Properties of Water ➔ The property of water that allows the basilisk lizard to run across its surface isthe high surface tension causedby the polar qualities of water.