1. Water Most abundant molecule in living things Polar molecule
Increases ability to form H bonds with
other molecules
Cohesion
Attraction of water to water
Surface tension
Adhesion
Attraction of water to other substances
Capillary action
Hydrophyllic = water ‘loving’
Hydrophobic = water ‘fearing’

2. Water specific heat High specific heat
Amount of energy (as heat measured in calories) required
to raise 1 gram of a substance 1°C
Specific heat for water is 1 calorie
1kcal = 1000 calories
1 joule = cal
1 calorie = J
Heat of vaporization = 580 calories = amount required to
change 1 gram of water from liquid to vapor and visa versa
Evaporative cooling
Heat of fusion = 80 calories = amount required to
change 1 gram water from solid to liquid and visa versa
Water densest at 4°C
Water at 0°C floats (ice)

3. Water solvent of life Solute = substance that is dissolved in a fluid
Solvent = fluid a solute is dissolved in
A solution is aqueous if water is the solvent
Solutes are hydrophyllic or hydrophobic
Molarity measures concentration of solute in aqueous solutions
1 mole = molecular weight of a substance in grams
1 molar solution = 1 mole of a substance plus water to equal 1 liter