Biochemistry: Unit 3

WATER
An Interactive Presentation by Group 3
 Question of the Day:

What makes water, Water?

Introduction
Water is all around us. This report explains the
importance of water to us and how it exactly
nourishes plants, why ice cubes float, and how it
dissolves most solutes. Acids and Bases will also
be tackled in this Unit. Moreover, at least 60% of
the average human is made of water. A lot of
that water can be found in our blood, and our
blood is 83% water.
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this topic, you should be able to:

01 02 03 04 05

Discuss the Analyze the structure Point out the Define and explain Explain the
and properties of qualitatively and importance of
structure and water in relation to importance of
quantitatively pH, buffers in
properties of physiological water as the weak acids, strong
phenomena in a biological
water. living system.
medium of life. acids and buffers. systems.
Properties of Water
Prokaryotes and eukaryotes
consist of 70% to 90% water,
essential for metabolism, which
requires cells to be at least 65%
water.
Properties of Water
Water's unique properties, like high
boiling and melting points, heat of
vaporization, and surface tension, are
crucial for life due to strong
intermolecular forces and dielectric
constant, despite its low molecular
weight and non-metallic, non-ionic
nature. In essence, water is vital for life
due to its exceptional chemical and
physical characteristics.
Figure 3.1.1. The Structure of Water (Garett and Grisham, 2008)
Properties of Water
Water molecules consist of two hydrogen
atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen
atom, forming a dipole structure with a
positive end and a negative end. This
polarity allows water molecules to attract
each other, forming cohesive bonds.
Additionally, water's structure facilitates
hydrogen bond formation, where it can act
as both a hydrogen donor and acceptor.
The capacity to form four hydrogen bonds
per water molecule contributes to its strong
intermolecular forces of attraction.
Properties of Water
Unlike most substances, water is less
dense as a solid than as a liquid, a
unique property. This is evident when
ice (solid) floats in liquid water. The
formation of hydrogen bonds in ice
keeps water molecules apart,
resulting in lower density, while
melting breaks some of these bonds,
allowing water molecules to pack
closer together, increasing density.
Figure 3.1.2. The Structure of Ice (Garett and Grisham, 2008)
Properties of Water
Water's polarity enables it to act as a
universal solvent, capable of
dissolving various substances. When
salt or food coloring is added to
water, they dissolve and become part
of the water solution. In the case of
ions like Na+ and Cl-, they are
hydrated in water, surrounded by a
"hydration shell," as observed in
Figure 3.3.
Properties of Water
Non-ionic but polar compounds like
sugars readily dissolve in water because
water molecules form hydrogen bonds
with the polar functional groups on these
compounds. The dissolution occurs due
to the stronger polar interactions
between the solvent (water) and solute
(sugar) compared to the intermolecular
attractions between solute molecules,
which are primarily van der Waals forces
and weaker hydrogen bonding.
Figure 3.1.3. Hydration shells surrounding ions in

solution (Garett and Grisham, 2008)

Properties of Water
When oil is added to water, they do not
mix because water is polar while oil is
non-polar. Instead, the oil floats on top of
the water due to hydrophobic
interactions, where nonpolar substances
tend to cluster together. These
interactions are driven by entropy,
resulting in a decrease in order among
water molecules.
Figure 3.1.4. Disordered to ordered H bonded water molecules around a non polar

solute molecule (Garett and Grisham, 2008)

Properties of Water
Amphipathic molecules, which possess
both polar and nonpolar groups,
disperse in water due to the
hydrophobic interactions of their
hydrocarbon tails, while their polar
carboxylate functions are hydrated in
a hydrophilic manner. A typical
example of an amphipathic molecule
is a fatty acid, as depicted in the
accompanying figure.
Figure 3.1.5. An amphipathic molecule: sodium palmitate

(Garett and Grisham, 2008)

Properties of Water
Water exhibits capillary action,
enabling it to move upward against
gravity in small spaces, such as plant
stems. This process allows water to
ascend through the surface fibers of a
solid, like the stem of a flower,
providing hydration and nutrients to
the plant, regardless of other external
forces.
Properties of Water
Water exhibits capillary action,
enabling it to move upward against
gravity in small spaces, such as plant
stems. This process allows water to
ascend through the surface fibers of a
solid, like the stem of a flower,
providing hydration and nutrients to
the plant, regardless of other external
forces.
Properties of Water
Surface tension is the result of the
cohesive forces between water
molecules, creating a stretchy sheet-like
layer at the water's surface. This
phenomenon, sometimes referred to as
the "invisible skin of water," allows small
insects to walk on water, as they can
distribute their weight effectively across
the surface tension. Observing bugs
walking across a pond demonstrates the
effects of surface tension.
PH
pH
The acidity of liquids is commonly
measured using the pH scale, which
indicates the concentration of
hydrogen ions in a solution. pH stands
for "power of Hydrogen" and
represents a measure of acidity or
basicity. The pH of a solution can be
calculated using a formula.
PH
pH
In the pH equation, the concentration
of hydrogen ions (H3O+) is involved in
the logarithmic part of the equation.
This logarithmic scale allows for a
wider range of values to be measured,
similar to the Richter Scale for
earthquakes. A change of 1 pH unit
represents a tenfold change in acidity,
making the logarithmic scale crucial
for accurately measuring acidity levels
across a broad spectrum.
pH
Strong acids and bases, such as
HCl, HNO3, NaOH, and KOH,
completely dissociate into ions in
solution. In contrast, weak acids
and bases, like CH3COOH, NH3,
undergo partial dissociation,
resulting in a mixture of ions and
undissociated molecules in
solution.
pH
The pH of blood is crucially maintained
around 7.4 to prevent illness. Weak acids
and bases play a significant role in this
regulation. Unlike strong acids and bases,
which fully dissociate upon entering water,
weak acids and bases only partially
dissociate, allowing for a more controlled
and stable pH environment in the blood.
This balance prevents excessive reactions
between acids and bases, ensuring the
body's health.
Figure 3.2.2 Carbonic acid equation (Zaininger, 2019)
pH
Carbonic acid (H2CO3) can dissociate in
water to release hydrogen ions (H+) and
hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO3-). In this
process, carbonic acid acts as an acid,
donating hydrogen ions to form its
conjugate base, hydrogen carbonate.
Conversely, hydrogen carbonate can act as
a base by accepting hydrogen ions to
reform carbonic acid. The strength of an
acid can be determined by calculating its
acidity constant, Ka, which indicates the
extent of dissociation into ions in water.
Formula Acidity Constant, Ka
pH
The pKa, the negative logarithm of the
acidity constant Ka, is used to quantify
the strength of acids. Carbonic acid,
with a pKa of 6.1, is relatively strong
compared to water, which has a pKa of
14. The Henderson-Hasselbalch
equation describes the relationship
between the pKa, the concentrations of
acid and its conjugate base at
equilibrium, and the pH of a solution
containing the acid.
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
Titration
The titration curve or a graph of pH
versus mL of titrant added, can be
made from data from titration.
Titration curves for strong acids and
strong bases have dramatic slopes.
To determine the concentration of an
unknown using titration data, use
this equation: (CH)(VH) = (COH)(VOH).
Make sure concentration is in terms
of molarity, or mol/L and volume is in
terms of liters.
BUFFERS
Buffers
A solution whose pH is
not altered to any great
extent by the addition
of small quantities of
either an acid or base is
called buffer solution.
Buffers
Buffer is also defined as the solution of
reserve acidity or alkalinity which resists
change of pH upon the addition of a
small amount of acid or alkali.

Many chemical reactions are carried out

at a constant pH. In nature, there are
many systems that use buffering for pH
regulation. For example, the bicarbonate
buffering system is used to regulate the
pH of blood, and bicarbonate also acts as
a buffer in the ocean.
TYPES OF BUFFERS
TYPES OF BUFFERS
TYPES OF BUFFERS
BUFFER ACTIONS
BUFFER ACTIONS
BUFFER ACTIONS
 OPEN YOUR
CALCULATORS
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
• Water has a higher melting point, boiling point, heat of
vaporization, heat of fusion and surface tension than most
common liquids because of hydrogen bonds.
• The solvent properties of water are attributable to the "bent"
structure of the water molecule andpolar nature of its O-H
bonds.
• Measurement of pH is one of the most common and useful
analytical procedures in biochemistry since the pH
determines many important aspects of the structure and
activity of biological macromolecules and thus the behavior of
cells and organisms.
• Intracellular and extracellular fluids of living organisms
contain conjugate acid-base pairs, which act as buffers at the
normal pH of these fluids. A buffer is a system which tends to
resist change in pH when a given increment of H+ or OH- is
added.
ACTIVITY TIME
 THE BET GAME:
BIOCHEM EDITION
 INTRUCTIONS:
Each group will have 20 points as the starting score. The
game master will ask if how many points will they sacrifice
for one question. If the group answered the question
correctly, the points they sacrificed will be doubled, but if
failed, they will lose the points. Ready? Let’s start!
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 1
What is the maximum number of Hydrogen
bonds a water molecule can form with four
other water molecules?
ANSWER:
4
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
QUESTION # 2
Water is a universal
_______.
ANSWER:
SOLVENT
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 3
Give the Henderson-
Hasselbalch Equation
ANSWER:
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 4
What do you call the
substance that is dissolved?
ANSWER:
SOLUTE
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
QUESTION # 5
What do you call the
“dissolving agent”?
ANSWER:
SOLVENT
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 6
How does pH affect acidity or
basicity?
 ANSWER:
CONCENTRATION
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
QUESTION # 7
What determines the acidity or
basicity of a solution in terms of
hydrogen ion concentration?
ANSWER:
ION
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 8
Give the formula for Acidity Constant.
ANSWER:
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
 QUESTION # 9
What is the pH at the equivalence point
in titrations involving strong acids and
strong bases?
 ANSWER:
SEVEN OR 7
PLACE YOUR SUGAL
POINTS
THIS QUESTION IS A 3X YOUR
BET. ANSWER IT CORRECTLY
 QUESTION # 10
What is the Henderson-
Hasselbalch equation used for?
 ANSWER:
THE HENDERSON-HASSELBALCH EQUATION IS AN EQUATION USED TO
DETERMINE THE PH OF A BUFFER SOLUTION. A BUFFER SOLUTION IS USED
TO CONTROL PH IN A REACTION WHEN SMALL AMOUNTS OF ACID AND
BASE ARE ADDED.
THANK YOU!
from Group 3