Download Why Is Water Crucial For Life? 1. Explain what causes a molecule to

Why Is Water Crucial For Life?
1. Explain what causes a molecule to be polar; why is a water molecule highly polar?
2. Define the term "hydrogen bond"; what is the role of hydrogen bonding in the
structure of water?
3. Explain why the following special properties of water are important to living
organisms:
surface tension and cohesiveness as a liquid
ability to act as a solvent for both crystals and many large molecules
ability to float when frozen
high specific heat and evaporative cooling
4. Define the terms nonpolar, polar and amphipathic, then explain how molecules of
each type interact with water.
5. Define the terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic.
6. Define the term pH:
Explain the following:
how an increase in hydrogen or hydroxide ions change the pH and how this relates
to the acidity of a solution
what constitutes a weak vs. a strong acid (give an example of each)
what constitutes a weak vs. a strong base and (give an example of each)
7. Give two examples of events that can change the pH of human blood; name the
buffer system in blood and describe (in general terms) how it works.
8. Explain what causes acid rain and steps that have been taken to correct the problem.
(see reading assignment)
9. Explain the difference between diffusion, dialysis, and osmosis; what role is played by
concentration gradients?
10. Define the terms isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic; what effects do each of these
environments have on living cells?