Topic 2: Molecular Biology - 2.

Polarity of Water:

The covalent bonds between the oxygen atom and the two
hydrogen atoms of a single water molecule are categorized as
polar covalent bonds -> This is because the electrons are not
equally shared.

- Slight positive charge = End of the Two hydrogens

- Slight negative charge = End of the oxygen

Note: 2 Poles -> Dipolarity

Hydrophilic vs Hydrophobic:

- Hydrophilic: Attractive substances to water that form intermolecular bonds and “Dissolve”
- Hydrophobic: When a Substance is not Hydrophilic

Hydrogen Bonding in Water:

Hydrogen bonding forms in liquid water as the hydrogen atoms of one water molecule are attracted
towards the oxygen atom of a neighboring water molecule -> This is because of the Dipolarity

Note: Each Water Molecule bonds with Four Others -> Tetrahedral Arrangement

Properties of Water:
Because of its Polarity, Water has some unusual properties which make it unique to benefit life
↳ Ice is Less Dense than Water
Type of Property: Explanation: Example of Benefit:

Water molecules stick to each other Trees are able to suck water to the top
Cohesive
↪ Hydrogen Bond Polarity of their trunks -> Transpiration Xylem

The dipolarity of water molecules Generating Transpiration Pull:

Adhesive makes them adhere to surfaces that are Adhesion between Water and
polar and therefore hydrophilic cellulose to pull water in xylem up

- High melting and Boiling Point These properties ensure that in most
Thermal - High Latent heat of Vaporization habitats water can be found in a liquid
- High Specific Heat Capacity form -> Survivability

Many substances dissolve in Water Water is the medium for metabolic

Solvent
↪ ions and Polar molecules reactions -> Without not Possible
 Comparison: Thermal Properties

Property Methane Water Explanation

Ice melts at a much higher temperature: hydrogen

Melting point -182 °C 0°C bonds restrict the movement of water molecules
and heat is needed to overcome this.

Water's heat capacity is higher: hydrogen bonds

Specific heat 2.2 J per g 4.2 J per g
restrict movements more energy is stored by moving
capacity per °C Per °C
molecules of water than methane.

Water has a much higher heat of vaporization:

Latent heat of
760 J/g 2257 J/g much heat energy is needed to break hydrogen
vaporization
bonds and allow a water molecule to evaporate.

Water's boiling point is much higher: heat energy is

Boiling point - 160 °C 100 °C needed to break hydrogen bonds and allow water to
change from a liquid to a gas.

Formula CH4 H2O N/A

Density
0.46 1 N/A
(g cm-3)

Explaining Perspiration: Water as a Coolant

- Latent heat of Vaporization

The cooling property of water is a vital function for many land animals. Sweat has a cooling effect
because cooling your body via sweating relies on a principle of physics called "heat of vaporization." It
takes energy to evaporate sweat off of your skin, and that energy is heat. As your excess body heat is
used to convert beads of sweat into vapor, you start to cool down.

Why?
Because it takes a lot of energy to
majke water evaporate, it is a good
coolant - evaporating water removes a
lot of heat energy from the organism

Note:
Water Temperatures remain Stable
which is important for Ecosystems
 Modes of Transport: Water
Mode of Transport in an Aqueous Environment: “Water Like”
Substance High or Low Relative Solubility
(No special Mode = Substance dissolved directly)

Gluoce Polar Molecule / High Solubility No Special mode of Transport -> Small intenstine

Amino Acid Varying Polaritiy -> All Soluble No Special mode of Transport

Transported by blood proteins that have polar amino acids on

Cholesterol Largely Non-Polar / Low Solubility the outer portion to give water solubility, and non-polar
amino acids internally to bind the Non-Polar cholesterol

Transported by blood proteins that have polar amino acids on

Fats Not Polar / Very Low Solubility the outer portion to give water solubility, and non-polar
amino acids internally to bind the Non-Polar cholesterol

Relatively low solubility in water is exacerbated by the

relatively high temperature of warm-blooded animals
Travels as a Diatomic
Oxygen (oxygen is less soluble in warm aqueous
Low Solubility
solutions)/hemoglobin is used to bind and transport oxygen
molecules reversibly.

Salt (NaCl) Ioanizes / Highly Soluble No Special Mode -> NaCl Separated into Na+ & Cl-

Phospholipids:

- A phospholipid is a type of lipid molecule

that is the main component of the cell
membrane Lipids are molecules that
include fats, waxes, and some vitamins,
among others. Each phospholipid
comprises two fatty acids, a phosphate
group and a glycerol molecule.

- Hydrophilic Head
- Hydrophobic Tail

Example: Phosphatidylcholine
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Composition of Blood:
Four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

- Plasma -> 95% H2O

- Red Blood Cells: Hemoglobin
- Proteins and Enzymes