A Level Biology Topic 1 – Lifestyle, Health & Risk Papers 1-3

Water Pack 4

Textbook pages: Associated SNAB Tasks & Activities:

• Page 8 A1.3 – An Ideal Transport Medium

Learning Outcomes:
1.2 - Understand the importance of water as a solvent in transport, including its dipole nature

The Water Molecule

Water is an unusual small molecule because it is …………………… at room temperature

A water molecule consists of .......... oxygen and .......... hydrogen atoms

The hydrogen atoms are slightly ......................... charged

The oxygen is slightly ......................... charged

Label the water molecule to show the atoms and the charges

Due to the charges, water has a .............................. and is said to be a ........................... molecule

How Do Water Molecules Join Together

The slightly positively charged end of a water molecule is .............................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Water as a Solvent

Molecules & ions

If they have a charge they can dissolve in water. This is due to their

……………………………………………………………… . This allows vital biochemical

reactions to occur in the cytoplasm of cells.

Dissolved substances can also be transported around organisms, ………………………………………………………………

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

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A Level Biology Topic 1 – Lifestyle, Health & Risk Papers 1-3

Ionic Substances, i.e. NaCl

These can also dissolve easily in water

The negative ions, i.e. Cl-, ……………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The positive ions, i.e. Na+, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………

As the ions become surrounded by water molecules they are said to be ………………………………………………….

Polar Molecules
These molecules have …………………………………………………….

Examples of these groups are ……………………. in sugars and the ………………………………………….. in amino acids

These ‘water-loving’ (polar) substances are said to be ..........................................

Non-Polar Molecules
Molecules that don’t have a charge (lipids) cannot dissolve in water

These ‘water-hating’ (non-polar) substances are said to be ..........................................

For these substances to be transported around the body in the blood, they must combine with

……………………………………………………………………………………

Thermal Properties of Water

Water has a very high specific heat capacity

Specific Heat Capacity is:

The specific heat capacity is so high because ....................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

A large input of energy causes ................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................
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A Level Biology Topic 1 – Lifestyle, Health & Risk Papers 1-3

Describe the 2 advantages to biological organisms of a high specific heat capacity

•

Water has a high boiling point because ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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