Exam (elaborations)
ZOL2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 (841505)- DUE
23 March 2026Summarize with AI
Summarizer
Save 4 minutes reading time
ZOL2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DUE 23
March 2026; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations
Question 1 [8] Various factors influence the amount of gas that can dissolve
in water. Name and briefly describe the direction of influence of the four
main such factors discussed in the learning material.
The solubility of gases in water is governed by several physical and chemical principles. Based
on standard environmental science and chemistry learning materials, the four main factors
influencing this process are:
1. Temperature
Temperature has an inverse relationship with gas solubility. As the temperature of water
increases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases, allowing them to break the
intermolecular bonds with the water and escape into the atmosphere.
Direction of influence: Solubility decreases as temperature increases.
2. Partial Pressure (Henry's Law)
According to Henry's Law, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a liquid is directly
proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with the liquid.
Direction of influence: Solubility increases as the partial pressure of the gas increases.
3. Salinity (The "Salting-out" Effect)
Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved inorganic salts in the water. As salinity increases,
the "free" water molecules available to solvate gas molecules decrease because they are occupied
by the dissolved salt ions.
Direction of influence: Solubility decreases as salinity increases.
4. Chemical Reactivity (Nature of the Gas)
, The specific chemical properties of the gas and its ability to react with water significantly
influence how much can be held in solution. For example, gases that react chemically with water
(like carbon dioxide forming bicarbonate) are generally much more soluble than non-reactive
gases (like nitrogen or oxygen).
Direction of influence: Solubility increases if the gas undergoes a chemical reaction
with the water molecules.
1. Temperature
Temperature has an inverse effect on the solubility of gases in water. As the temperature
increases, the amount of gas that can dissolve in water decreases. This occurs because gas
molecules gain more energy and escape more easily from the liquid. Conversely, lower
temperatures increase gas solubility.
2. Pressure
Pressure has a direct influence on gas solubility. When the pressure above the liquid
increases, more gas molecules are forced into the water, causing more gas to dissolve. When
pressure decreases, less gas remains dissolved in the water.
3. Nature of the Gas
Different gases have different solubilities depending on their chemical properties and how they
interact with water. Some gases dissolve easily because they react with water or are more
polar, while others dissolve less readily.
4. Nature of the Liquid (Solvent)
The characteristics of the liquid also affect gas solubility. Liquids with properties that allow them
to interact strongly with gas molecules will dissolve gases more easily. For example, water
dissolves gases that can interact with its polar molecules more effectively than non-polar liquids.
Question 2 [6] Describe the role of skin in respiration.
While humans primarily rely on lungs, many organisms—and even humans to a very small
degree—utilize their skin for gas exchange. This process is known as cutaneous respiration.
Here is a breakdown of how the skin functions as a respiratory surface:
1. Diffusion of Gases
ZOL2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 (841505)- DUE
23 March 2026Summarize with AI
Summarizer
Save 4 minutes reading time
ZOL2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DUE 23
March 2026; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations
Question 1 [8] Various factors influence the amount of gas that can dissolve
in water. Name and briefly describe the direction of influence of the four
main such factors discussed in the learning material.
The solubility of gases in water is governed by several physical and chemical principles. Based
on standard environmental science and chemistry learning materials, the four main factors
influencing this process are:
1. Temperature
Temperature has an inverse relationship with gas solubility. As the temperature of water
increases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also increases, allowing them to break the
intermolecular bonds with the water and escape into the atmosphere.
Direction of influence: Solubility decreases as temperature increases.
2. Partial Pressure (Henry's Law)
According to Henry's Law, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a liquid is directly
proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with the liquid.
Direction of influence: Solubility increases as the partial pressure of the gas increases.
3. Salinity (The "Salting-out" Effect)
Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved inorganic salts in the water. As salinity increases,
the "free" water molecules available to solvate gas molecules decrease because they are occupied
by the dissolved salt ions.
Direction of influence: Solubility decreases as salinity increases.
4. Chemical Reactivity (Nature of the Gas)
, The specific chemical properties of the gas and its ability to react with water significantly
influence how much can be held in solution. For example, gases that react chemically with water
(like carbon dioxide forming bicarbonate) are generally much more soluble than non-reactive
gases (like nitrogen or oxygen).
Direction of influence: Solubility increases if the gas undergoes a chemical reaction
with the water molecules.
1. Temperature
Temperature has an inverse effect on the solubility of gases in water. As the temperature
increases, the amount of gas that can dissolve in water decreases. This occurs because gas
molecules gain more energy and escape more easily from the liquid. Conversely, lower
temperatures increase gas solubility.
2. Pressure
Pressure has a direct influence on gas solubility. When the pressure above the liquid
increases, more gas molecules are forced into the water, causing more gas to dissolve. When
pressure decreases, less gas remains dissolved in the water.
3. Nature of the Gas
Different gases have different solubilities depending on their chemical properties and how they
interact with water. Some gases dissolve easily because they react with water or are more
polar, while others dissolve less readily.
4. Nature of the Liquid (Solvent)
The characteristics of the liquid also affect gas solubility. Liquids with properties that allow them
to interact strongly with gas molecules will dissolve gases more easily. For example, water
dissolves gases that can interact with its polar molecules more effectively than non-polar liquids.
Question 2 [6] Describe the role of skin in respiration.
While humans primarily rely on lungs, many organisms—and even humans to a very small
degree—utilize their skin for gas exchange. This process is known as cutaneous respiration.
Here is a breakdown of how the skin functions as a respiratory surface:
1. Diffusion of Gases
