Notes on water properties Describe and explain the role of water in living organisms Structure Function Thermal High

h specific heat capacity Thermal buffer Large amount of energy is used to Helps to maintain stable break the H-bonds which restrict the temperature despite fluctuation mobility of water in environmental conditions which is especially important for aquatic animals Solvent for temperature-dependent reactions High heat of vaporization Cooling effect Large amount of energy is needed to Large amount of heat can be lost overcome the H-bonds between its with minimal loss of water molecules (homeostasis) Evolution of life Water is an essential solvent for chemical reactions in living organisms High heat of fusion Cells less likely to freeze Large amount of energy required to melt ice into water due to extensive H-bonding in ice Density High relative density Prevent water bodies from completely freezing in cold weather Water is less dense as solid then liquid due to hydrogen bonds Dense water sinks As water freezes, each molecule At low temperature, water forms stable hydrogen bonds, freezes into ice and floats acting creating 3D crystal. as insulator to prevent the water below from freezing In liquid state, water molecules are Nutrient recycling more tightly packed as molecules can freely slide over each other Water convection current Viscosity Relatively low viscosity Suitable medium for transportation H-bonds weak, easily broken and Blood reformed, thus water molecules can slide over each other with ease Capillary Cohesion Transport of water through terrestrial action Tendency of molecules to attract one plants High tensile strength another Adhesion Combined H-bonding between large numbers of water Tendency of molecules of different molecules increases tensile types to be attracted to each other strength Surface High surface tension Support small and light aquatic tension organisms Intensive H-bonding Colour Transparent Allow light to pass through Water can penetrate into water bodies so light can reach photosynthetic organisms 1|Page Created by SefLRho (2012) DHS

Polarity and solvent

Water molecules are polar Able to weaken the attraction between ions of opposite charge causing compounds to be dissociated

Majority of reactions take place in water

Describe and explain the role of water as an environment for organisms o Metabolic role Hydrolysis Medium for chemical reactions Diffusion and osmosis Photosynthetic substrate water is major raw material in photosynthesis o Solvent Transport blood plasma, tissue fluid Waste removal metabolic wastes removed from body in solution in water Secretion digestive juices have salts and enzymes in solution o Lubricant Mucus aid movement in animals Pericardial fluid lubricate movement of the heart o Supporting Turgor pressure plants are supported by osmotic influx of water Amniotic fluid supports and protects the mammalian fetus

2|Page Created by SefLRho (2012) DHS