Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

3. Water

Properties of Water- The Universal Solvent

General Biology

3. Water

Properties of Water- The Universal Solvent

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1:26 minutes

Problem 2

Textbook Question

Create a concept map to organize your understanding of the life-supporting properties of water. A sample map is in the answer section, but the value of this exercise is in the thinking and integrating you must do to create your own map.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the key properties of water that support life, such as its solvent capabilities, high specific heat, cohesion, adhesion, and its role in temperature regulation.

Organize these properties into main categories. For example, you might categorize them under 'Physical Properties', 'Chemical Properties', and 'Biological Roles'.

For each property, think about and note down how it supports life. For instance, water's solvent capabilities allow it to dissolve nutrients, gases, and waste products which are crucial for cellular processes.

Connect these properties with arrows or lines to show how they interact or contribute to other life-supporting functions. For example, link water's high specific heat to its role in stabilizing ocean and body temperatures, which is vital for marine and human life.

Add examples to each property to illustrate its importance. For instance, under cohesion, you could note how water's cohesive nature helps transport nutrients and waste in plants and blood through capillary action.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polarity of Water

Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side (hydrogens) and a partial negative charge on the other (oxygen). This polarity allows water to form hydrogen bonds, which are crucial for many of its unique properties, such as high surface tension and solvent capabilities.

Cohesion and Adhesion

Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules, which leads to phenomena like surface tension. Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other substances, allowing water to climb up plant roots and stems through capillary action, essential for nutrient transport.

Specific Heat Capacity

Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature. This property helps regulate temperatures in environments, making water vital for maintaining stable conditions for living organisms.

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A molecule that has all nonpolar covalent bonds would be __________.

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Sucrose has a molecular mass of 342 daltons. To make a 2-molar (2 M) solution of sucrose, __________.

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A mole of ethyl alcohol weighs 46 g. How many grams of ethyl alcohol are needed to produce 1 L of a 2-millimolar (2 mM) solution?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is a hydrophobic material?

a. Paper

b. Table salt

c. Wax

d. Sugar

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Textbook Question

Draw the hydration shells that form around a potassium ion and a chloride ion when potassium chloride (KCl) dissolves in water. Label the positive, negative, and partial charges on the atoms.

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Textbook Question

Most of the unique properties of water result from the fact that water molecules

a. Are the most abundant molecules on Earth's surface.

b. Are held together by covalent bonds.

c. Are constantly in motion.

d. Are polar and form hydrogen bonds.

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Textbook Question

What do you think the effect on the properties of water would be if oxygen and hydrogen had equal electronegativity?