Water Transport

Question 1

Explain the structure of water.

Answer 1

1. One oxygen atom joined to two hydrogen atoms
2. Shared -ve H electrons pulled towards O atoms. Other side of each H atom is left with slight positive charge.
3. Unshared negative electrons give O a slightly negative charge
4. Slightly negatively charged oxygen atoms attract slightly positively charged hydrogen atoms
5. Attraction is called hydrogen bonding.

Question 2

Define the term ‘dipolar molecule’.

Answer 2

Partial negative (delta-) and a partial positive (delta+) charge on the other.

Question 3

What are the benefits of water’s dipole nature?

Answer 3

Cohesion and Solvency

Question 4

Describe the benefits of water’s cohesive nature.

Answer 4

• Helps to make water flow better and increases utility for transporting substances.

Question 5

Describe the term ‘cohesion’

Answer 5

The attraction between molecules of the same type

Question 6

What are the benefits of water’s solvency?

Answer 6

• Important substances in biological reactions are ionic
• Dipole nature allows both +ve and -ve atoms (ions) to attract to water
• Ions will get totally surrounded by water- known as dissolved