Importance of Water Part 2

3. polarity / solvent properties Continued from part 1 3. polarity / solvent properties

biological colloids - hydration layers surround large charged molecules (ex: proteins) and keep them from settling out

solvent - major transport medium

dissolving medium - used by special molecules that act as body lubricants ex: mucus, serous fluid

4. reactivity Involved in decomposition and synthesis reactions Decomposition = breaking down Synthesis = building

dehydration synthesis making a new compound by removing a water molecule C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 → C12H22O12 + H2O + → H2O +

hydrolysis → break down a compound by adding water ex: digestion C12H22O12 + H2O → C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 → + H2O +

Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis Reactions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTeqZLXBSo

5. cushioning around certain body organs to prevent physical trauma ex: cerebrospinal fluid around brain