Water (A1.1) + Nucleic Acids (A1.2) + Carbs and Lipids (B1.1) + Proteins (B1.2) Flashcards
(159 cards)
Define a hydrogen bond
force when a slightly positive hydrogen atom in one polar molecule is attracted to slightly negative atom of another polar molecule
Buoyancy as a physical property of water (2)
buoyancy = force exerted upward by fluid which counteracts gravity
density of object < density of liquid = buoyancy force > gravity = object will float
Why does ice float on water (2)
ice is less dense as water
pattern of hydrogen bonding of ice is less dense
Viscosity as a physical property of water
pure water has low viscosity - hydrogen bonds are weak so not as much internal friction
Define cohesion
ability of water molecules to stick together
Cohesion of water for water transport in plants (5)
water is sucked upwards in continuous columns
column of water under tension from both ends
tension from roots due to attraction between soil + water
tension from leaves as water lost by evaporation + attraction between water and leaf cell walls
water moves upwards because force in leaves > force in roots
Explain surface tension of water (2)
cohesion between water molecules > attraction between water and floating object
object must break hydrogen bonds to break the surface of water
Define adhesion for water (2)
hydrogen bonds forming between water + surface of solid composed of polar molecules
allows water to stick to other objects
Define capillary action
the ability of a liquid to flow through a narrow tube without external forces
Why water is a good solvent (5)
polar nature of water molecule forms shells around both charged + polar molecules
prevents molecules from clumping together so they remain in solution
water’s partially negative oxygen pole attracted to positive ions
water’s partially positive hydrogen pole attracted to negative ions
both dissolve
Define hydrophilic
substances chemically attracted to water
Examples of hydrophilic substances (2)
glucose
positive or negative ions (e.g sodium + chloride ions)
Define hydrophobic (3)
substances not attracted to water
more attracted to other hydrophobic substances
insoluble in water
Examples of hydrophobic substances (2)
non-polar molecules (not positive or negative)
lipids
Metabolism in water solvent property (2)
solutes can move + interact
allows for substrates to touch the active sites of enzymes
Thermal conductivity as a property of water
high thermal conductivity = good at absorbing/transferring heat
Define thermal conductivity
the rate at which heat passes through a material
Define viscosity (3)
how easily a fluid is able to flow
more viscosity –> more friction + resistance to flow
due to internal friction when on part of a fluid moves faster relative to another part
Applications of water’s thermal conductivity
high water content in blood –> can carry heat from parts of body to parts that need more heat or parts that dissipate heat
Define specific heat capacity
energy required to raise the temperature of 1g of material by 1 C
Specific heat capacity as a characteristic of water (2)
increase in temperature must have hydrogen bonds broken with energy
must lose an equal amount of energy to cool down
Applications of specific heat capacity of water (2)
aquatic habitats are more thermally stable
helps mammals maintain constant body temperatures
Why water is able to be retained on earth (2)
distance between sun and earth = temperatures are not high enough to vaporize water
strong gravity = oceans is held to surface, gases kept within atmosphere
Define the Goldilocks Zone (2)
habitable zone around a star
location depends on size of star, amount of energy it emits, size of planet