AP Biology Unit 1 Topic 1 (Properties of Water)

Front

What is the property of water that allows it to absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature?

Back

High heat capacity.

Front

What term describes water's ability to dissolve many substances?

Back

Water is a solvent.

Front

What is the molecular structure of water that makes it polar?

Back

Water has a bent shape with a partial positive charge on one end (hydrogens) and a partial negative charge on the other end (oxygen).

Front

What does it mean for a molecule to be polar?

Back

A polar molecule has a distribution of electrical charge that leads to a positive end and a negative end.

Front

Why is water considered a universal solvent?

Back

Because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid due to its polarity.

Front

What is specific heat?

Back

Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Front

How does water's high specific heat benefit aquatic ecosystems?

Back

It helps maintain stable temperatures in aquatic environments, protecting organisms from temperature fluctuations.

Front

What is the significance of water being a polar molecule in biological systems?

Back

It allows for hydrogen bonding, which is crucial for the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids.

Front

What is the term for substances that do not mix well with water?

Back

Hydrophobic.

Front

What is an example of a hydrophilic substance?

Back

Salt or sugar, as they dissolve easily in water.