Aqueous Chemistry

Why should we study aqueous Chemistry?

• Water is fundamental requirement for life• Most biomolecules are surrounded by water• Water plays role in assembling biomolecules• Water participates in biochemical processes

The human body is about 60% by weight water

Electronic structure of the water molecule

The water molecule is polar

A hydrogen bond

Structure of ice

Water molecules spontaneously form small hydrogen-bonded clusters

A water strider supported by the surface tension of water

Relative strengths of bonds in biological molecules

van der Waals radii

Hydrated solutes

Water dissolved many compounds. Dissolved particle is called SOLUTE. Solute ion surrounded by water is called SOLVATED or HYDRATED

Glucose

A solution of molecules inside a cell

Dodecane

Hydration of a nonpolar molecule

Aggregation of nonpolar molecules in water

Fatty acid palmitate

A micelle formed by amphiphilic molecules

The hydrophobic tails of the molecules aggregate,out of contact with water due to hydrophobic effect. The polar head groups are exposed and can interact with the solvent due to hydrophilic effect

A lipid bilayer

Lipid vesicle

A bilayer prevents the diffusion of polar substances

Ionic composition of intracellular and extracellular fluid

Sweat and exercise

Acid-base balance in humans