Water AS Flashcards
why is water being polar useful
acts as a solvent
why is water being reactive useful
used in condensation and hydrolysis reactions
why is water being a solvent useful
metabolic reactions can happen faster in solution
why is water being a metabolite useful
water can be used in chemical reactions directly
why is the high specific heat capacity of water useful
water in and around cells absorbs heat energy without much temperature fluctuations. keeps conditions stable
why is the high latent heat of vaporisation useful?
can cool organisms by evaporation
why are the strong cohesive properties of water useful?
can be pulled through plants in a column as the water molecules are held together by H-bonds
why is the high surface tension of water useful?
habitats can form on the surface of water
why is the colourless with high light transmission of water useful?
lets light through for photosynthesis
why is the fact that water is not easily compressed useful?
provides support
define ions
when atoms gain or lose electron
positively or negatively charged
found in cytoplasm and bodily fluids
have specific roles depending on properties
comparison between process by which water and inorganic ions enter cells
both move down concentration gradient
both move through protein channels in membrane
ions can move against concentration gradient
