Water Properties, Cell Theory, and Basic Molecular Biology Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_jmvrtm
1. Why is water polar? Oxygen is more electronegative than hydro-
gen ’uneven charge distribution.
2. What causes hydrogen bonding in water? Attraction between δ+ hydrogen and δ− oxy-
gen atoms.
3. What is cohesion? Attraction between water molecules due to
hydrogen bonding.
4. What is the biological importance of cohe- Maintains continuous water column in xylem.
sion?
5. What is adhesion? Attraction between water and other polar sur-
faces.
6. What is the biological importance of adhe- Helps water move up xylem walls against
sion? gravity.
7. Why does water have high specific heat Hydrogen bonds require energy to break.
capacity?
8. What is the biological importance of high Stabilizes temperature for enzyme activity.
specific heat capacity?
9. Why is there a high latent heat of vapor- Energy needed to break hydrogen bonds
ization for water? during evaporation.
10. What is the biological importance of evap- Cooling (sweat/transpiration).
oration?
11. Why is water a good solvent? Polarity allows ions/polar molecules to dis-
solve.
12. Transport + metabolic reactions.
1/4
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_jmvrtm
1. Why is water polar? Oxygen is more electronegative than hydro-
gen ’uneven charge distribution.
2. What causes hydrogen bonding in water? Attraction between δ+ hydrogen and δ− oxy-
gen atoms.
3. What is cohesion? Attraction between water molecules due to
hydrogen bonding.
4. What is the biological importance of cohe- Maintains continuous water column in xylem.
sion?
5. What is adhesion? Attraction between water and other polar sur-
faces.
6. What is the biological importance of adhe- Helps water move up xylem walls against
sion? gravity.
7. Why does water have high specific heat Hydrogen bonds require energy to break.
capacity?
8. What is the biological importance of high Stabilizes temperature for enzyme activity.
specific heat capacity?
9. Why is there a high latent heat of vapor- Energy needed to break hydrogen bonds
ization for water? during evaporation.
10. What is the biological importance of evap- Cooling (sweat/transpiration).
oration?
11. Why is water a good solvent? Polarity allows ions/polar molecules to dis-
solve.
12. Transport + metabolic reactions.
1/4