Leeza-Marie Williams
Learning Summation
What is biology?
According to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the word biology is derived from the Greek words bios and logos which means life and study, respectively. Simply, biology can be defined as the science of life and living organisms. An organism is a living entity consisting of one cell like bacteria, or several cells such as animals, plants and fungi.
While the definition of biology appears straightforward, biological science can range from the study of molecular mechanisms in cells, to the classification and behavior of organisms, and to how species evolve and interact between ecosystems.
Furthermore, Biology often overlaps with other sciences, for example, biochemistry and toxicology with biology, chemistry, medicine, and even astronomy, to name a few. Biology also interacts with social sciences with regards to the administration of biological resources, developmental biology, biogeography, evolutionary psychology and ethics.
Properties of water
As stated by the website Owlcation, water consists of five properties which are as followed: an attraction to polar molecules, a high-specific heat, a high heat of vaporization, a lower density of ice, and a high polarity.
Firstly, waters ability to attract to polar molecules can be attributed to cohesion and adhesion. Cohesion refers to water’s attraction to other water molecules, whereby, the hydrogen bonds in water hold other water molecules together. Because of water’s cohesiveness, water in its liquid state has surface tension which allows for insects, such as Water Striders, to walk on water. Furthermore, water’s cohesiveness enables it to maintain its liquid state instead of a gas state at moderate temperatures. Adhesion is water’s attraction between molecules of a different substance in which it is able to form hydrogen bonds. Due to water’s adhesiveness, capillary action occurs.
Secondly, high-specific heat is the amount of energy that is absorbed or lost by one gram of a substance to change the temperature by 1 degree Celsius. Since water molecules form many hydrogen bonds between one another, plenty of energy is needed to break down those bonds. Breaking the bonds allows individual water molecules to move freely about and have a higher temperature. If there are many individual water molecules moving about, then, they will create more friction and more heat, which means a higher temperature. The hydrogen bonds between water molecules absorb the heat when they break and release heat when they form, which minimizes temperature changes. Water helps maintain a moderate temperature of organisms and environments.
Thirdly, water’s high heat of vaporization is the other property responsible for its ability to moderate temperature. It refers to the amount of heat energy needed to change a gram of liquid into gas. Just like the properties of having a high specific heat, water also needs an ample amount of energy in order to break down the hydrogen bonds which causes a cooling effect.
Fourthly, when observing water’s density at cooler temperatures, the hydrogen bonds of water molecules form ice crystals because they are more stable and will maintain its crystal-like shape. Ice is less dense than water because of the hydrogen bonds being spaced out and being relatively apart. The low density is what allows icebergs to float and is the reason why only the top part of lakes are frozen.
Fifthly, water is a polar molecule that has a high level of polarity and attraction to ions and other polar molecules. As we already know, water can form hydrogen bonds, which make it a powerful solvent. Water molecules are attracted to other molecules that contain a full charge, like an ion, a partial charge, or polar. Salt is a polar compound that dissolves in water. Water molecules surround the salt molecules and separate sodium from the chloride by forming hydration shells around those two individual ions.
Works Cited:
“What Is Biology at NTNU?” Norwegian University of Science and Technology, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.
<https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/about-us/what-is-biology>.
“5 Properties of Water.” Owlcation, 13 June 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2017. <https://owlcation.com/stem/5-
Properties-of-Water>.