1.1 Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

Explain how the properties of water that result from its polarity and hydrogen bonding affect its biological function.

• Living systems depend on the properties of water to sustain life.
  • i. Water has polarity, because of the formation of polar covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen within water molecules. This polarity contributes to hydrogen bonding between and within biological molecules.
  • ii. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which allows for the maintenance of homeostatic body temperature within living organisms.
  • iii. Water has a high heat of vaporization, which allows for the evaporative cooling of the surrounding environment. In living organisms, this property allows for body temperature to be maintained.
• The hydrogen bonds between adjacent polar water molecules result in cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.