Water

Solvent properties
is an excellent solvent for polar substance [ionic substance (contain molecule will ion) & non-ionic substance (contain polar group)] due to its polarity. - Once water contact with polar substances, the surround the ion/polar groups and then separate/dissociate the ions/molecules from each other. When the ions/molecules of the substance can move freely, it will be more chemical reactive compare to when it is in solid form. - Majority of cell-chemical reaction take place in aqueous solution. - In contrast, non-polar substances will be hydrophobic .This interaction is important in formation of membrane & help to determine the 3dimensional structure of protein molecules, nucleic acid and other cell structure.

High heat capacity, heat of vaporization and fusion

- Large increase in heat energy but small increase in temperature due to so much of energy is used to break the hydrogen bonds (overcome the stickiness) which restrict the molecules movement. - Temperature changes are minimized. Thus biochemical reaction occur at a smaller range of temperature and a constant rate .This provide a constant external environment for the cell. - Heat of vaporization, due to hydrogen bonding. The energy transfer to molecules which allow them to vaporize results in loss of energy in surrounding (cooling) . Then, the large amount of heat energy loss with minimal loss of water. Example, sweating and panting of mammals. - High heat of fusion, liquid water required to lose a high amount of heat energy to freeze. This has protect the cells and their environment from damaging of ice crystals.

Density and freezing properties

- The density of water will decrease below . - Ice floats on water due to the its density decrease. When the water is freeze into solid state, its degree between two hydrogen will change from

to

. This had cause the water molecule increase its volume . Since density is

where its mass remain constant. Density =

inversely proportional to volume , when volume increase density will decrease. Therefore ice can float on water. Note: water is the only substance where its solid form have a lower density than liquid form. - Since ice float, it will form at the surface first and the bottom last. Ice had insulate the water below and increase the chance of survival of organisms when in cold climates or low temperature.

High surface tension and cohesion

- At the surface of liquid , a force called surface tension exists due to the sticking of individual molecules together ( cohesion). This cause the surface of liquid occupy the least surface area (ideally a sphere ) .The high cohesion of water is important in translocation of water through xylem in plants. At a less fundamental level, many small organisms rely on surface tension to settle on water or skate over its surface.

Water as a reagent
- source of hydrogen in photosynthesis and hydrolysis reactions.