BIOCHEMISTRY
Water Polarity—due to uneven distribution of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms, one end of the water molecule is slightly negative and one is slightly positive The polarity of water allows hydrogen bonds to form between its molecules and is responsible for many of its special properties
Special Properties of Water Cohesion--attraction between molecules of the same substance; because of the hydrogen bonds, water is extremely cohesive Adhesion--attraction between molecules of different substances
Acids and Bases Water can react to form ions Water forms hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) An acidic solution is a compound that contains high concentrations of H+ ions A basic solution, or alkaline, is a compound that contains low concentrations of H+ (high concentrations of OH-)
pH Scale pH is a measure of the concentration of H+ ions in a solution The scale goes from 0 to 14 7 is neutral meaning the solution is not an acid nor a base Acids have a pH below 7 Bases have a pH above 7