AP BIOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTRY

PROPERTIES OF WATER

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Which of the following effects is produced by the high surface tension of water?
A
Lakes don’t freeze solid in winter, despite low temperatures
B
A water strider can walk across the surface of a small pond
C
Water flows upward from the roots to the leaves in plants
D
Organisms resist temperature changes, although they give off heat due to chemical reactions
E
Evaporation of sweat from the skin helps to keep people from overheating
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Answer: A water strider can walk along the surface of earth due to the surface tension of water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Surface tension causes water to form spherical droplets and allows it to support small objects, like a scrap of paper or a needle, if they are placed carefully on its surface.

Detailed explanation-3: -Besides mercury, water has the highest surface tension for all liquids, which is due to the hydrogen bonding in water molecules. The surface tension of water causes water molecules at the surface of the liquid (in contact with air) to hold closely together, forming an invisible film.

Detailed explanation-4: -Water striders use the high surface tension of water and long, hydrophobic legs to help them stay above water. Water striders use this surface tension to their advantage through their highly adapted legs and distributed weight.

Detailed explanation-5: -Frequently Asked Questions on Insects Walk on Water Insects can walk on water because of a phenomenon called surface tension. This is essentially a property of water (or any liquid) which allows it to resist an external force.

There is 1 question to complete.