Chemistry of Life

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What does hydrophobic mean?

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Hydrophobic refers to substances that do not mix with water and repel it, often because they are non-polar.

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What does hydrophilic mean?

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Hydrophilic refers to substances that can mix with or dissolve in water, often because they are polar.

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What is a solvent?

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A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. In a saltwater solution, water is the solvent.

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What is a solute?

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A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent. In a saltwater solution, salt is the solute.

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What is a solution?

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A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another (the solvent).

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What is cohesion in water?

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Cohesion is the property of water molecules to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding, which contributes to surface tension.

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What is adhesion in water?

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Adhesion is the property of water molecules to stick to other substances, which helps in capillary action.

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What is high specific heat?

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High specific heat is the ability of water to absorb a lot of heat before its temperature changes significantly, making it effective in temperature regulation.

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What is the significance of water's high heat capacity?

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Water's high heat capacity allows it to stabilize temperatures in environments, making it crucial for life.

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What is the role of hydrogen bonds in water?

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Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between water molecules that contribute to water's unique properties, such as cohesion and high specific heat.