UNIT 10:
BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES AND
BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
HAJRAH ALI [LEAH CARSON-UNIT 2]
, A.P1
EXPLAIN THE STRUCTURE OF BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES IN LIVING
ORGANISMS.
,WATER
, WATER
STRUCTURE/BONDING OF WATER:
Water is a biological molecule made from 2 hydrogen atoms bonded with an oxygen atom. Oxygen atom carry a partial negative charge and
atoms carry a partial positive charge, so attracted to each other molecules. In water the oxygen molecules are attracted to a hydrogen of an
known as hydrogen/intermolecular bonds. A hydrogen bond is an “intermolecular” force between the molecules. Covalent bond is an “intram
force of attraction which brings hydrogen and oxygen bonds together it is not a hydrogen bond. The electrons in the covalent bonds are shar
because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, which creates an uneven distribution of electrons and therefore uneven distribution
within the molecules, this is indicated with a delta symbol on drawn diagrams to show. The oxygen molecules pull negatively charged electro
itself and away from the hydrogen. Water is known as a dipolar molecule as it has regions of different charges such as negative charge near
and positive towards the hydrogen.
PROPERTIES:
1. It is a metabolite in a hydrolysis, photosynthesis and condensation reaction. With the help of water, it can break the polysaccharide to sp
their original monomers, such digestion of carbohydrates or glycogen.
2. An Important solvent in reactions to dissolve substances
3. Has a high specific heat capacity Water has a very high specific heat capacity, more energy is required/ taken out to change the tempera
water, when water is heated the heat energy goes towards weakening or breaking the hydrogen bonds rather than increasing the kinetic
water molecules so that molecules of water change their state to gas. So, the water acts as a buffer against the rapid temperature chang
change rapidly).
4. Has a strong cohesion between water molecules by the hydrogen bonds; this supports water columns as it is easier to draw up a column
each molecule individually and provides surface tension which allows habitats such as invertebrates to sit on top away from predators.
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