Chemistry of Life Notes: Day 1

1. Standards a. 3.3.1-3.1.6, 3.2.1-3.2.7 2. Objectives b. 3.1.4-3.1.6 3. Properties of Water c. Transparency i. Allows light to pass through the water d. Cohesion ii. Water molecules form hydrogen bonds between them. This produces a surface tension which makes it hard for a small object to break the surface. e. Universal Solvent iii. The polarity of water molecules allows both organic and inorganic particles to dissolve in it. f. High Specific Heat iv. More energy is needed to heat and more energy is given off when cooled. g. Boiling and Freezing Characteristics v. High boiling point (100°C) means it doesn’t boil often naturally. vi. Evaporation at lower temperatures causes a cooling effect. vii. It becomes less dense as it freezes causing it to float and then insulate the water beneath. 4. Properties of Water: Significance to Living Organisms h. Transparency viii. Vital to aquatic organisms ix. Allows light to reach the structures within the organisms i. Cohesion x. Many organisms use the surface of the water as their habitat. xi. Transpiration: How liquid moves within plants xii. Buoyancy: supports organisms j. Universal Solvent xiii. Allows substances to be transferred via the water in a dissolved state. k. High Specific Heat xiv. Water temps tend to be very stable, which is beneficial to aquatic organisms. xv. Heat transfer in mammals l. Boiling and Freezing Characteristics xvi. Ice that forms first acts as an insulator xvii. Useful cooling