BIOC 3110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Chemical Polarity, Electronegativity, Acid Dissociation Constant
Document Summary
Chapter 2 of "biochemistry: a short course" focuses on the chemical and physical properties of water, which are fundamental to the study of biochemistry. The chapter begins by discussing the unique properties of water that make it essential for life. These include its high polarity, ability to form hydrogen bonds, high specific heat capacity, and high heat of vaporization. These properties allow water to act as a solvent for polar and ionic molecules, to moderate temperature changes, and to provide a stable environment for biochemical reactions. Next, the chapter describes the structure of water and how it relates to its properties. Water is a polar molecule with a bent shape, due to the electronegativity of the oxygen atom and the geometry of the molecule. This polar nature allows water to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules and with other polar or charged molecules, such as ions or polar groups on proteins.
