why do many ions (e.g. sodium chloride) and covalently bonded polar substances (e.g. glucose) dissolve in water?
because it is polar
what 2 things does the dissolving of ions and covalently bonded polar substances into water allow and why ?
- chemical reactions can occur within cells as the dissolved solutes are more chemically reactive when they are free to move about
- prokaryotic cells can exchange substances, such as nutrients and waste products, with their surroundings via the process of diffusion
what gives water its property as a coolant?
its high latent heat of vaporisation
how does water’s high latent heat of vaporisation give it a coolant property?
- In order to change state (from liquid to gas) a large amount of thermal energy must be absorbed by water to break the hydrogen bonds and evaporate
- therefore only a little water is required to evaporate for the organism to lose a great amount of heat
what gives water its property as a habitat?
its high specific heat capacity
how does water’s high specific heat capacity give it the property of being a habitat?
It is able to maintain a constant temperature as it is able to absorb a lot of heat without big temperature fluctuations
This is vital in maintaining temperatures that are optimal for enzyme activity in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes
- Water in blood plasma is also vital in transferring heat around the body, helping to maintain a fairly constant temperature
why does water have such a high specific heat capacity?
due to the many hydrogen bonds present in water. It takes a lot of thermal energy to break these bonds and a lot of energy to build them, thus the temperature of water does not fluctuate greatly
what properties allow water to act as a transport medium?
its cohesion and polarity
how do polarity cohesion allow water to act as a transport medium?
water’s polarity means molecules stick together, creating continuous streams. Dissolved substances in the water are transported with this water. e.g. in the xylem
why is water stable?
due to its high boiling point, and its high specific heat capacity
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Eukaryotic plant cells6
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monomers, polymers and elements4
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Prokaryotic cells8
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Eukaryotic Cells22
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Biological molecules7
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STAGES IN PREPREPARED SLIDES4
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MODULE 2 - MICROSCOPES AND STAINING40
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MODULE 2 - CELL COMPONENTS24
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MODULE 2 - WATER10
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MODULE 2 - CARBOHYDRATES AND LIPIDS33
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MODULE 2 CHEMICAL TESTS8
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MODULE 2 - PROTEINS31
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MODULE 2 - ENZYMES26
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MODULE 2 - BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES24
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MODULE 2 - NUCLEOTIDES AND NUCLEIC ACIDS25
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MODULE 3 - LUNG VOLUMES7
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MODULE 3 - PARTS OF A SPIROMETER6
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MODULE 3 - EXCHANGE SURFACES59
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MODULE 3 - TRANSPORT IN ANIMALS120
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MODULE 3 - TRANSPORT IN PLANTS55
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MODULE 4 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES158
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MODULE 4 - BIODIVERSITY111
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MODULE 4 - classification and evolution109
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MODULE 5 - Neuronal communication135
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MODULE 5 - Hormonal communication definitions6
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MODULE 5 - homeostasis21
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MODULE 5 - the liver and kidney106
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MODULE 5 - The adrenal glands52
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MODULE 5 - plant responses40
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MODULE 5 - Photosynthesis119
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MODULE 5 - RESPIRATION137
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MODULE 6 - Cellular control - body plans40
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MODULE 6 - controlling gene expression36
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MODULE 6 - Patterns of inheritance and manipulating genomes176
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MODULE 6 - Genome sequencing and DNA profiling11
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MODULE 6 - cloning and biotechnology184
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MODULE 6 - ECOSYSTEMS + POPULATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY212
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exam style questions103
