TBA 1013

ASSIGNMENT 1

SEM 2 2010/2011

QUESTION 1

Exobiology is the study of life on other planets. In recent years, scientists have sent various
spacecraft out into the galaxy on search for extraterrestrial life. Assuming that all life shares
common properties, what should exobiologist be looking for as they explore other worlds?

ANSWER

Exobiologist should look for the appropriate environment. If there are no gases and water,
living things are unable to live there. This is because every living things depend on these two
elements to live. Besides that, they also have to find if the environment is suitable for any
plants to grow. Plants are important because it can supply oxygen, food and shelter.

QUESTION 2

Chemical bonds are essential to build the molecules of life. Describe the following bond
types and how they are significant to life on earth : ionic, covalent (polar and nonpolar),
hydrogen and Van Der Waals (interaction)

ANSWER

i. Ionic bond
- Ionic bonds are formed when one atom completely transfers electrons to
another atom. An example of ionic compound is sodium chloride, or table salt.
The ionic bonds between the sodium and chlorine atoms create a molecule
that easily dissolves in water, conducts electricity in solution and is a
crystalline solid with a high melting point. These are characteristics that can
be found in almost all ionic compounds.

ii. Polar covalent bond

- Polar covalent bonds occur when two atoms share electrons unequally. Water
is an example of a polar covalent compound. Because the oxygen atom has a
stronger pull on the shared electrons, it develops a partial negative charge
while the hydrogen atoms develop a partial positive charge. This is why water
is excellent at dissolving polar substances.
iii. Non-polar covalent bond
 - Nonpolar covalent bonding results when two identical non-metals equally
share electrons between them. They are not charged so they aren't easily
dissolved.This allows for the ability to build strong sturdy materials and just to
allow atoms to gain stability by bonding to another atom of the same element.
In biology molecules that are nonpolar are also hydrophobic which allows cells
to function properly.
iv. Hydrogen bond
- Hydrogen bonds only exist between certain groups (phosphorus, nitrogen and
oxygen) and this plays a very important part in complementary base-paring
which is essential for the proper functioning of DNA. Hydrogen bonding also
means that polar covalent bonds such as sugars and amino acids are soluble
in water
v. Van Der Waals
- Van der waals forces result from slight charge of atoms due to electrons being
in certain areas of the orbitals than other parts. Just like hydrogen bonds they
are pretty weak individually but with numbers are quite strong. An important
example is how geckos climb walls using the van der waals forces between
the atoms in their feet with that of the walls.

QUESTION 3

The unique properties (characteristics) of water make life possible exist on earth. Select
three properties of water and ;

a) For each property, identify and define the property and explain it in terms of
the physical/chemical nature of water.
b) For each property, describe one example of how the water effects the
functioning of living organism.

ANSWER

i) Water has high specific heat capacity.

- Specific heat is measured as the amount of energy required to raise the
temperature of 1 g of substance by 1 ◦C. A great deal of heat energy is
needed to change water’s phase from liquid to gas or from solid to liquid.
Water has high specific heat capacity due to the existence of many hydrogen
bonds. A large amount of energy is needed to break the hydrogen bonds
between the molecules before the heat is transferred. Thus, water is not easy
to be This property ensure that water is responsible to maintain the climate.
 - It also means that water releases heat energy slowly when situations cause it
to cool. Water's high specific heat allows for the moderation of the Earth's
climate and helps organisms regulate their body temperature more effectively.

ii) High surface tension

- Water has a high surface tension. This means that water is adhesive and
elastic, and tends to aggregate in drops rather than spread out over a surface
as a thin film. This phenomenon causes water to stick to the sides of vertical
structures despite gravity's downward pull.
- Water's high surface tension allows for the formation of water droplets and
waves, allows plants to move water (and dissolved nutrients) from their roots
to their leaves, and the movement of blood through tiny vessels in the bodies
of some animals.

iii) Water as universal solvent

- The partial charge that develops across the water molecule helps make it an
excellent solvent. Water dissolves many substances by surrounding charged
particles and "pulling" them into solution.
- For example, an ionic substance, common table salt, sodium chloride,
contains alternating sodium and chlorine ions.
- When table salt is added to water, the partial charges on the water molecule
are attracted to the Na+ and Cl- ions.  The water molecules work their way into
the crystal structure and between the individual ions, surrounding them and
slowly dissolving the salt.  The water molecules will actually line up differently
depending on which ions are being pulled into solution. The negative oxygen
ends of water molecules will surround the positive sodium ions; the positive
hydrogen ends will surround the negative chlorine ions.
- In a similar fashion, any substance that carries a net electrical charge,
including both ionic compounds and polar covalent molecules (those that have
a dipole), can dissolve in water. This idea also explains why some substances
do not dissolve in water. Oil, for example, is a nonpolar molecule. Because
there is no net electrical charge across an oil molecule, it is not attracted to
water molecules and therefore does not dissolve in water.