Chapter 1 :

Molecule of
Life

1.1 WATER
Learning outcomes:
a) Describe the chemical properties (solvent, bond angles
and hydrogen bond) of water and relate its physiological
roles in the organisms;
b) Describe the physical properties (polarity, cohesiveness,
density, surface tension, specific heat capacity, and latent
heat of vaporisation) of water and relate its physiological
roles in organisms.

 Life cannot exist on earth if there is no water.

Organisms themselves are made up of mainly
water. Even our body is made up of 65 per cent
water. Water is a vital constituent of living cells
and an environment for aquatic organisms.
Water has many unique chemical and physical
properties that facilitate the living process. These
unique properties are based on the structure of
the water molecules: the small size, its polarity
and hydrogen bond between its molecule.

PROPERTIES OF WATER
Water molecules are
bipolar
As universal solvent
High surface tension and
cohesion
High specific heat
capacity
High latent heat of
vaporisation

Water molecules are bipolar

a. Each water molecule is composed of
an oxygen atom with two hydrogen
atoms attached to it at an angle of
104.5. Each hydrogen atom shares a
pair of electrons with the oxygen atom
to form two covalent bond.
b. The oxygen atom draws in the bond
towards itself, giving itself a partial
negative charge relative to the
hydrogen atom. The water molecule,
as a whole, it not charged.
c. However, since the water molecule is
bent, its unequal charge distribution
makes one end positive and the end
negative. As the consequence, the
water molecule is bipolar.

Water molecules are linked through hydrogen bonds

When water molecules are close to

each other, they will arrange
themselves in such a way that
positively charges hydrogen atom
will be attracted to a negatively
charged oxygen atom from another
water molecule. Such electrostatic
interactions that exist among polar
molecules form hydrogen bonds.
This makes water molecules sticky.

A water molecule can form four hydrogen bonds with four other water
molecules. The bonds are constantly being formed, broken and reformed
in water but collectively, (water molecules exist as a collection of
molecules not an individual molecules) they form a strong force that holds
the water in place. This makes water a relatively stable compound.

Water as universal solvent

Water is a good solvent because its

polar molecules. Water dissolves
other polar compounds easily due to
the electrostatic interaction between
water molecules and charged
components in the compound.
These includes ionic substances like
salts, which contain charged ions,
and some non-ionic substances like
sugars that contain polar groups.
These substances have electrostatic
charges, which are attracted to the
charges on water molecules due to
their bipolar nature.

When such substances dissolve in

water, the ions and the polar groups
are surrounded by water molecules
which separate the ions or
molecules from each other. The
charged ions are attracted to the
oppositely charged polarity of the
water molecules.
Figure explains what happens when
salt (Na+Cl-) is added to water.
Negatively charged oxygen atoms in
water molecules attach to the cation
(Na+), while the positively charged
hydrogen atoms attach to the anion
(Cl-). In effect, water molecules
neautralise eectrostatic interactions
between the oppositely charged
ions, and wrap around the ions, thus
forcing the ions to be separated
from each other. In other words, the
Na+Cl- crystals dissociate and
dissolve when added to water.

Substances which are neutral and non-polar such a soil, do not

dissolve in water. Oil molecules do not interact with water molecules
electrostatically, even when the mixture is shaken violently. The
hydrogen bonds between water molecules that are broken
physically will be reformed as soon as shaking ceases and in doing
so repel the oil meolecules. The repelled oil molecules will then form
a separate layer on the surface of the water.
Suc hydrophobic interactions are important in the formation of
membranes and to determine the three-dimensional structure of
many protein molecules, nucleic acid and other cell structures.

Water exhibits high surface tension and cohesion

Cohesive force: force of attraction between the same molecule.

eg: between water molecules

High cohesion is the result hydrogen bonding and causes the surface
of water to occupy the least possible surface area.
makes water has higher surface tension than any other
liquid

the tendency of water surface to resist being broken.

Water molecules at the surface of a pond, stick more closely than beneath
it and are held by strong hydrogen bonds.
this allows the surface film to act almost like membrane, supporting them
Organism : water striders walk over water surfaces for ; territories, food
and partners.

Adhesive force: force of attraction between molecule with the other

molecule.
eg: between water molecules and wall of xylem vessels.

Adhesive forces that exist between water molecules and other substances
trap the moisture between soil particles.

In land plant, the interplay of adhesive forces among water molecules and
transpiration pull from the leaves maintains a continuous flow of water up the
stem.

Capillary action is the result of adhesion and cohesion of water

Water has low viscosity ; - helps water to be a good lubricant

- enables water to move in and out of cells rapidly.
Lubricating fluids : saliva, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid and
perivisceral fluid

Water has high specific heat capacity

4.2 kJ/K/kg, that is 4.2 kJ of heat is required to raise temperature by

1 K for 1kg of water.
Due to: hydrogen bonding between its molecules.
A large amount of heat is required to cause a slight increase in
temperature.
this means: a large amount of energy is used to break the
hydrogen bonds which restrict the movement of water molecules.
this also makes water a good heat absorber because water
temperature does not increase as fast as other substances.
enables water in cells or in the surrounding of the aquatic
organisms to remain relatively constant.
This makes water a good temperature buffer.

Water has a high latent heat of vaporisation

2260kJ/kg, measure of heat energy required to vaporise 1 kg of

water.
Water

Water vapour

Break hydrogen bond

For water to evaporate, it must vibrate and move quickly enough to

break all hydrogen bonds.
this causes water to have an unusually high boiling point for
such a small molecule.
The energy transferred to water molecules to help them to
evaporate results in loss of energy from their surroundings,
this helps to cool organisms during a hot day.

Water has a high latent heat of fusion

340 kJ/kg, measure of heat energy required to melt ice or loss of heat.

Liquid water

Ice

Such a high heat is requirement would mean that the contents of cells and
their environemnt are hard to freeze.
This is necessary as ice crystals can be damaging if they develop inside
cells.
BUT,
Water expands when frozen
This helps to break up the rocks which is important in the formation of
soil.

Water achieves its highest density at 4C

Water achieves its highest density at 4C.

Therefore, ice is less dense than water.

This is different from other substances where the solid for is always
denser than the liquid form.

Benefit: In winter, water freezes on top of the lakes first and

insulates the layers below from further cooling and freezing, thus
allowing life forms to thrive in the water beneath the ice

Physiological role of water in living organisms

Supporting role of water
1. The high water content in protoplasm gives cell structures good support
2. Water is the medium of life for aquatic animals.
3. Animals, like earthworms, have hydrostatic skeletons and are dependent on
the pressure of the aqueous medium within them for support and movement.
4. Water is the medium of fertilisation for gametes that swim.
5. Water is one of the dispersal agents for seeds of land plants such as
coconut trees.

.Metabolic role of water

1.
2.
3.
4.

Water is the medium for chemical reactions. All chemical reactions in living
organisms take place in an aqueous medium.
Water is one of reactant or products in chemical reactions. Water is
required in all reactions involving hydrolysis : fats to fatty acids and glycerol.
Water is one of the major raw materials for photosynthesis.
Water provides a moist surface for diffusion of materials across surfaces
such as in the lungs.

 Water as lubricant
1.

Mucus helps earthworms and snails in movement. In mammals, mucus helps

in the movement of food through the alimentary canal.

2.

Synovial fluid lubricates joints in vertebrates.

3.

Pleural fluid lubricates movement of lungs during breathing.

4.

Pericardial fluid lubricates movement of the heart.

.Water as solvent and medium of transport

1. Water readily dissolves other substances and therefore, it is a good
medium for transport and removal waste.
2. Substances such as glucose, amino acids, mineral salts and hormones
are transported in soluble form in blood plasma in animals. Similarly,
mineral salts and sucrose are transported as aqueous solutions in plants.
3. Metabolic waste, such as ammonia and urea, are removed from the body
in water-soluble form.