A Level Biology

Water

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▪ Water is arguably the most
important biochemical of all. Without
water, life would not exist on this
planet. It is important for two
reasons.
▪ First, it is a major component of
cells, typically forming between 70%
and 95% of the mass of the cell.
You are about 60% water.
▪ Second, it provides an environment
for those organisms that live in
water. Three- quarters of the planet
is covered in water.

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 Structure of the water
molecule
▪ Water is a polar molecule.
▪ Water molecules are present as
clusters in liquid form.
▪ The hydrogen bonding of water
molecules makes the molecules more
difficult to separate and affects the
physical properties of water.

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Biological significance of water

1. Acts as a good solvent

▪ Ionic compounds like sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolve in water very easily.

wate
NaCl Hydrated Hydrated
r
sodium ion chlorine ion

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2. Protein molecules form colloidal
solutions with water. For example,
▪ Egg white (85% water + 15% albumin)
▪ Cytoplasm (80% water)

3. Fats and oils do not dissolve in water.

They form emulsions with water in the
presence of bases.

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4. Heat qualities of water

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▪ Melting points and boiling points are very high.
▪ This ranges from 0-100℃.
▪ Latent heat of fusion of ice is very high.
▪ Latent heat of vaporization of water is also high.
▪ Therefore, water can store a huge amount of heat.
▪ Specific heat capacity is also very high, which means the amount of heat required
to raise the temperature of 1kg of water by 1℃.
▪ Due to the above characteristics, water can remain as a liquid within a high range of
temperature.
▪ Also, the change of temperature in a water body is always minimised.

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▪ Water converts into ice and forms a layer
on the surface of water bodies.
▪ This acts as an insulating layer and protects
the remaining water from getting frozen.
▪ This helps in the survival of life forms in the
water.

A pond covered with a thin layer of ice.

Goldfish swimming beneath a layer of ice.

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5. Surface tension
▪ Water molecules present on
the surface form a water
membrane.
▪ The tension of this membrane
is known as the surface
tension.
▪ Some animals live on this
surface.
A paper clip floats
on the surface of
the water due to the
surface tension.
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6. Cohesion and adhesion forces
▪ Due to the presence of hydrogen
bonds, there is a force between
water molecules known as
cohesion.
▪ The force exerted between water
and other type of molecules is
known as adhesion.
▪ These forces help to conduct
water through capillary tubes.
E.g. ascending of xylem sap
through the capillary tube.

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7. Water acts as a reactant in
metabolic reactions.

a) photosynthesis

b) hydrolysis reactions

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