James L,

General Biology I (MF009)

Foundation in Science
 Introduction to Water
Life revolves around water as many metabolic reactions require
water as a reactant. Example:

6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2

water carbohydrates

Cell shape and internal structure depends on it.

~ Cells contents are about 70-95% water

Water has many important properties that influence the structure

and functioning of organisms.

Water even plays roles as a biological solvent, reactant molecule,

and temperature regulator; hence water is essential to life.
 Polarity of Water
In a water molecule two hydrogen atoms
form single polar covalent bonds with an
oxygen atom which gives water more
structure than other liquids.

Since oxygen is more electronegative,

the region around oxygen has a partial
negative charge.
The region near the two hydrogen
atoms has a partial positive charge.

A water molecule is a polar molecule with

opposite ends of the molecule having
opposite charges.
 Polarity of Water
Because of its uneven distribution of
_________
charges , water molecule can attract
other polar molecules.

Molecules that can form hydrogen bonds

with water are hydrophilic and those that
can't are hydrophobic.
Sugar and other polar molecules
(hydrophilic substances) easily form
hydrogen bond with a water molecule.

Water molecules ________

repel oil and other
non-polar molecules, which are
Polarity of water molecule
hydrophobic substances.
 Chemical Bonds in Water
1. Covalent bonding in water molecules
Covalent bonds within the water molecules are polarized, as the
atoms dont exert the same pull on their shared electrons which
give rise to polar covalent bonding.
This situation results in electronegative at one end and
electropositive at the other end.
 Chemical Bonds in Water
2. Hydrogen bonding in water molecules

Hold water molecules together as each water molecule can

form a maximum of 4 hydrogen bonds.
The hydrogen bonds joining water molecules are weak, about
1/20th as strong as covalent bonds.
They form, break, and reform with great frequency
Hydrogen bond is a weak attraction between an
electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom.
In water molecule, hydrogens slight positive charge weakly
attracted with oxygen atom which has slight negative
charge.
Covalent bonding vs. Hydrogen bonding in Water

Covalent Bond

Hydrogen Bonds
 Molecules that dissolve or interact with water, such as
hydrophilic , ____________
carbohydrates, are said to be ___________ water loving , as
can dissolve in water because they form H-
these molecules _____________
bonds with water molecules.

Biologically, most of the molecules within cells can form H-bonds and
are hydrophilic.

Typical hydrophilic molecules include:

Proteins
Carbohydrates
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
Small molecules of metabolism (e.g. glucose, amino acids, ATP)
 Properties of Water
1. Cohesion, Adhesion and Surface Tension
Capacity of water molecules to resist rupturing
when placed under tension. The tendency of
Cohesion water molecules to stick together due to its
polar properties.

Capacity of water molecules to stick to the

Adhesion surface its attached to. Water attracted to other
materials.

Surface A measure of the force necessary to stretch or

break the surface of a liquid, is related to
tension cohesion.

Cohesion force of Adhesion force of attraction

attraction between same between different molecules
molecules (water water) (water & cellulose walls)
 Properties of Water
Examples related to adhesion and cohesion

Water molecules will stick to themselves therefore causing the

beads. The adhesive forces between water and the surface in
contact are much smaller.
 Properties of Water
Capillary Action
Water has both adhesive and
cohesive properties, capillary action
is present.
Example:
Water transport in plants.
Cohesion due to hydrogen
bonding helps hold together the
column of water within the cells.
Adhesion of the water to cell
walls helps resist the downward
pull of gravity.
 Properties of Water
Examples related to high surface tension
The high surface tension of
water, resulting from the
collective strength of its hydrogen
bonds, allows the water strider to
walk on the surface of a pond.
Water behaves as if
covered by an invisible
film for some insects to stand,
walk, or run on water
without breaking the
surface.
 Properties of Water
2. High heat capacity

Water has a high heat capacity.

In order to raise the temperature of water, the average molecular speed

has to increase. It takes much more energy to raise the temperature of
water compared to other solvents.
Amount of heat needed to raise or lower 1g of a substance 1 C.
`
Water resists temperature change, both for heating and cooling. Waters
high heat capacity can be attributed to its hydrogen bonding properties.
 High Heat of Vaporization
The high heat capacity of water relates back to its polarity and to its
hydrogen bonding abilities.

The heat that is added to water is used to disrupt hydrogen bonds

before the water molecules can gain kinetic energy.

A larger amount of heat per gram is added to water to raise its

temperature.

Conversely, as water cools and the temperature drops even slightly,

more hydrogen bonds form, releasing more heat.
Three-fourths of the earth is
covered by water. The water
serves as a large heat sink
responsible for:
1. Prevention of temperature
fluctuations that are outside
the range suitable for life.
2. Coastal areas having a mild
climate
3. A stable marine environment
 Properties of Water
3. Water is less dense as a solid than a liquid
Water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid.
Water begins to freeze when its molecules are no longer moving
vigorously enough to break their hydrogen bonds.
As the temperature falls to 0oC, the water become locked into a
crystalline lattice. Hydrogen bonds resist breaking and lock water
molecules in the lattice-like bonding pattern of ice.
Ice is about 10% less dense than liquid water.
Ice forms an insulating blanket over water.
 Density of Water
Water is :
Most dense at 4oC
Contracts until 4oC
Expands from 4oC to 0oC

The density of water is important because:

1. Prevents water from freezing from the bottom up.
2. Ice forms on the surface firstthe freezing of the water releases heat
to the water below creating insulation.
3. Makes transition between season less abrupt.
 Properties of Water
4. Water as a solvent.
Water is a fine solvent, which allows ions and
hydrophilic molecules to dissolve in it.
Water molecules will cluster around ions and other
hydrophilic molecules and keep them dispersed in
fluid.
These clusters are known as spheres of hydration.
Any dissolved substance in water is known as a
solute.
Spheres of hydration - The positively charged sodium ion is surrounded
by water molecules projecting their partially negative oxygen atoms. The
chloride ion interacts with the partially positive hydrogen atoms of water.
Solution
Solution : a mixture of
one or more
substances (solutes).
Solutes dispersed in a
dissolving medium that
is known as a solvent.
Solutes : Na+; Cl- ; Solvent : Water
 Water as a Solvent

Dissolving table salt (sodium chloride):

Individual ion Na+ and Cl- ions break
away from the salt lattice and become
surrounded by water hydration shells.