chapter 2 section 4

Question 1

Why is water considered a powerful yet innocuous solvent?

Answer 1

It dissolves many substances without reacting chemically.

Question 2

How does water act as a “poor” solvent for nonpolar substances?

Answer 2

It promotes hydrophobic interactions, leading to lipid coalescence and membrane formation.

Question 3

What role does water’s high dielectric constant play?

Answer 3

It facilitates ionization, making aqueous solutions rich in ions.

Question 4

Why are ions in water important for life?

Answer 4

They increase chemical diversity, enable reactions, and provide electrical properties.

Question 5

What is water’s specific heat and why is it important?

Answer 5

4.184 J/g°C; it allows water to resist temperature changes, buffering environments and organisms.

Question 6

How does water’s anomalous expansion affect the environment?

Answer 6

Water expands near 0°C due to H-bonding; ice floats, insulating liquid water beneath.

Question 7

Why is water’s high surface tension biologically significant?

Answer 7

Enables capillary action, important for plant water transport.

Question 8

How does osmosis relate to water’s environmental role?

Answer 8

Water moves from dilute to concentrated solutions, shaping living organisms.

Question 9

How do water’s thermal properties help organisms regulate temperature?

Answer 9

Heat from metabolism is efficiently dissipated via evaporation or conduction.