1.

1 Water
Properties of Water
(a) describe chemical properties (solvent, bond angles & hydrogen bond)
of water and relate its physiological roles in the organisms;
(b) describe the physical properties (polarity, cohesiveness, density,
surface tension, specific heat capacity, & latent heat of vaporisation)
of water and relate its physiological roles in organisms.

Water Molecule

Water molecule is neutral

Polarity

Water molecule is polar

uneven distribution of e- between O & H
atoms.

Water molecule
has polar
covalent bond.

(+)
()
(+)

Polar and Non-Polar Covalent Bonding

Some atoms have an unequal affinity for electrons.
The shared e- spend more time around one atom relative to
another and the covalent bond is polar.

Covalent bonds of H2O are highly polar.

Oxygen draws e- to itself much more strongly than H.

Polar and Non-Polar Covalent Bonding

Polar and Non-Polar Covalent Bonding

The polar versus non-polar distinction determines
which molecules will dissolve in a particular solute.
For example, sugar dissolves in water,
but fat doesnt.

Molecular Shape

Molecules have distinct shapes and shape matters

Summary

H +

O
H

Water is a polar molecule

It forms weak hydrogen bonds
It remains a liquid over a wide temperature range
Water molecules stick to one another =
cohesion (surface tension)
Water molecules stick to other substances =
adhesion (capillarity)

Properties of Water

Polar molecule
Cohesion -Surface Tension
Adhesion
High Heat of Vaporization
High specific heat

Cohesion

H-bond between adjacent water

molecules

Adhesion
Attraction between molecules of
different substances
Responsible for capillary forces in
plants

Adhesion

Water can also be attracted to other surfaces .

Capillary Action

Capillary action is a result

of adhesion and cohesion.

1. High heat of vaporization

[evaporation]
- it also involves the breaking of
hydrogen
bonds, water resists vaporizing
(evaporating).
- Consequently, it takes a lot of heat to
evaporate water.
- high heat of vaporization is utilized
by organisms as a cooling process, e.g.,
sweat or panting.

High specific heat

- a temperature increase is an increase in the motion
of the molecules & atoms making up a substance.
- The cohesion of water molecules resist increasing
their motion. Consequently, water resists
heating; water has a very high specific heat.
- This tendency to not want to change temperature
causes bodies of water (e.g., a lake) to strongly resist
rapid changes in temperature.
- This temperature buffering capacity of water is
taken advantage of to a great extent by organisms.

Surface Tension

Species - Basiliscus basiliscus.

Cohesion
The attraction
between molecules of
the same substance
(e.g. water).
Allows some insects
and spiders to walk
on water.

Surface tension
- a measure of the strength of the water's
surface film.
- The attraction between water molecules
creates a strong film, which among other
common liquids is only surpassed by that of
mercury.
The surface tension permits water to hold up
substances heavier & denser than itself.
Some aquatic insects - water strider rely on
surface tension to walk on water.

Water
It has a high latent heat of vaporisation so
animals use water to cool themselves
It has a high specific heat capacity so water
can maintain a reasonably constant
temperature (homeostasis)
It is less dense as a solid (ice)
and ice is a poor conductor
Water is a good solvent

Quiz
1. Which of the following is not an important
property of water
a) Its polar nature
b) Its low specific heat capacity
c) Its high latent heat of vaporisation
d) Its low density in solid form

Hydrogen Bonds
Polar water molecules act like magnets
and attract each other
Hydrogen Bonds
The attraction of the Hydrogen end
(+) of one molecule for the Oxygen
end (-) of another water molecule.
They are the strongest bonds that
can form between molecules

Hydrogen Bonds

Solutions & Suspensions

Water is usually part of a
mixture.
There are two types of mixtures:
Solutions
Suspensions

Solution
Ionic compounds disperse as ions in
water
Evenly distributed
SOLUTE
Substance that is being dissolved
SOLVENT
Substance into which the solute
dissolves

Solution

Suspensions
Substances that
dont dissolve but
separate into tiny
pieces.
Water keeps the
pieces suspended
so they dont
settle out.

Acids, Bases & pH

1 water molecule in 550 million
naturally dissociates into a Hydrogen
Ion and a Hydroxide Ion

H2O H

Hydrogen Ion
Acid

+ OH

Hydroxide Ion
Base

The pH Scale

Indicates the concentration of H+ ions

Ranges from 0 14
pH of 7 is neutral
pH 0 6.99 is acid H+
pH 7.01 14 is basic OHEach pH unit represents a factor of
10 change in concentration

Acids
Strong
Acid = pH
1-3
H+ ions

Bases
Strong
Base = pH
11 14
OH-ions

Buffers
Weak acids or bases that react
with strong acids or bases to
prevent sharp, sudden changes in
pH.

Weak Acid

Weak Base

Some biologically important functions of water

All organisms
- Structure high water content of protoplasm
- Solven and medium for diffusion
- Reagent in hydrolysis
- Support for aquatic organisms
- Dispersal of seeds, gametes & larval stages of
aquatic organisms, and seeds of some
terrestrial species e.g. coconut
Multipurpose solvent: medium for metabolism and transport.
Takes part in metabolic reactions

Plants
-Osmosis and turgidity (important in many ways.
such as cell enlargement, support, guard cell
mechanism) -Reagent in photosynthesis
-Transpiration and translocation of inorganic ions
and organic compounds
-Germination of seeds swelling and breaking
open the testa and further development

Animals
-Osmoregulation
-Cooling by evaporation, -- sweating, panting
-Lubrication, as in joints
-Support hydrostatic skeleton
-Protection, for example lachrymal fluid, mucus
-Migration in ocean currents.
-Fluid component: 90% of cytoplasm, 92% of
blood plasma, 97% of tissue fluid and lymph.
Photosynthesis: water is a raw material in the light stage.
- Respiration: aerobic respiration produces water.
- Anabolism: produced when macromolecules are made (condensation).
- Catabolism: water is used to break the bonds in macromolecules (hydrolysis).
- Movement of materials through cell membranes: diffusion, osmosis and
active transport.

Water:
Importance of Water for Organisms
O Turgor plays an important role in the support of
plants.
Good absorber of heat
O Water is a temperature-stable medium - which is
important for homeostasis.
O Vaporisation of water is an excellent cooling
mechanism.