Study Guide Chapter 3: Water and the Fitness of
the Environment
Campbell et al. Biology. 8th ed., Chapter 3
Do all concept checks. Check out the study aids on Mastering Biology.
O. Application
1. Why should you cut a little piece off the stems of flower while holding them in
water before putting them in a vase?
2. Why should you not touch the surface of a tent when it rains?
I. The big picture
3. More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, most cells are surrounded by
water (even on land) and cells and organisms consist of about 70-95% water.
Lack of fresh water leads to death, pollution of water makes people sick, and
wars are fought over water. What is the daily per capita use of water in the
US? What will happen if we continue to use more fresh water than is restored
(two consequences)?
4. Besides the well-known effect on global temperature, carbon dioxide
decreases the concentration of carbonate ions in the oceans. Explain why
this happens and what the effects are (Figure 3.11).
II. The Properties of Water
5. With the use of a diagram or diagrams, explain why water molecules are:
a. Polar (Figure 3.2)
b. Capable of hydrogen bonding with four neighboring water
molecules (Figure 3.2)
Not quite clear? Use the web (CD) Activity: The polarity of water
6. List four characteristics of water that are emergent properties resulting from
hydrogen bonding.
7. Define cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. Explain how water’s
cohesion and adhesion contribute to the movement of water from the roots to
the leaves of a tree (Figure 3.3).
8. Define kinetic energy, heat, temperature, and heat of vaporization
9. What causes evaporative cooling?
© Crima Pogge, CCSF for Bio 101A, page 1
