Question

In: Biology

Biochemistry: Water is the major component in the cell and its physical and chemical properties play...

Biochemistry: Water is the major component in the cell and its physical and chemical properties play a major role in defining the properties of biopolymers. What are these properties? With the aid of examples, briefly describe how they may be helpful in defining macromolecular structure?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Water is composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen, which are the simplest elements which react easily with every other element in living organism.

Properties of water which makes it important part of biopolymers are:-

Cohesion and adhesion- helps in binding of water molecules to other water molecules and to any organic surface.

Surface tension

Specific heat capacity

Hydrophilic and polar nature- that's why molecules are easily soluble in it and almost all of our body fluids are water based.

Acts as a medium for all the biochemical reactions in the cell.


Related Solutions

Describe the unique physical and chemical properties of water. Discuss the formation of hydrogen bonds. How...
Describe the unique physical and chemical properties of water. Discuss the formation of hydrogen bonds. How is the fact that water molecules form hydrogen bonds related to the physical and chemical properties of water? Include a brief description of the biological implications of these properties.
State whether the following properties of a substance are physical properties or chemical properties: A. Substance...
State whether the following properties of a substance are physical properties or chemical properties: A. Substance boils at 1105 degrees Celsius. B. Density of the substance at 20 degrees Celsius is 1.738g/cm³. C. The substance burns in air. producing an intense white light. D. The substance reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid. E. The substance can be pounded into thin sheets or drawn into wires. F. The substance is a good conductor of electricity.
What are the physical and chemical properties of the spice cumin?
What are the physical and chemical properties of the spice cumin?
Match each functional group to the best description of its physical and chemical properties. Carboxyl group,...
Match each functional group to the best description of its physical and chemical properties. Carboxyl group, phosphate group, hydroxyl group, methyl group, or amino group. Nonpolar, hydrophobic, found in hydrocarbon chains. Polar, soluble, forms H bonds, forms alcohols. Polar, soluble, protons can dissociate from this group and it has acidic properties. Polar, soluble, can act as a weak base and accept a proton, found in proteins and nucleic acids. Polar, soluble, found in nucleic acids, can be acidic if it...
How does the structure of the molecule lead to the physical and chemical properties of the...
How does the structure of the molecule lead to the physical and chemical properties of the contaminant? (Specifically discuss the phase, melting and boiling points and solubility in various substances, reactivity/ stability, toxicity). The molecule is glyphosate.
Which of the following statements about a compound is true? A. The physical and chemical properties...
Which of the following statements about a compound is true? A. The physical and chemical properties of a compound are usually very different from those of the elements from which it is formed. B. Only the physical properties of a compound are usually the same as those of the elements from which it is formed. C. Only the chemical properties of a compound are usually the same as those of the elements from which it is formed. D. The physical...
Are the physical properties of a substance changed if that substance undergoes a chemical change? Explain....
Are the physical properties of a substance changed if that substance undergoes a chemical change? Explain. Are the chemical properties changed if the substance undergoes a physical change? Explain.
What are the physical and chemical properties of the following oils: - Almond oil - Fish...
What are the physical and chemical properties of the following oils: - Almond oil - Fish oil - Coconut oil - Palm Kernel oil Please provide the website where you get your information. Thank you.  
Discuss the properties of water in detail and provide at five major roles of water in...
Discuss the properties of water in detail and provide at five major roles of water in living organisms. Can you please be thorough when explaining.
What are the physical and chemical properties of enzyme active sites. Use the enolase mechanism to...
What are the physical and chemical properties of enzyme active sites. Use the enolase mechanism to illustrate as many of these as you can.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT