H2O (Water)

Definition

H2O, or water, is a molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. It's essential for all known forms of life and plays a critical role in various biological processes.

Analogy

Think of H2O as the universal solvent in your kitchen. Just like how you can dissolve sugar, salt, or coffee in water to make different drinks, cells use water to dissolve and transport nutrients and waste materials.

Related terms

Hydrogen Bonding: This is the type of bond that holds water molecules together. It's a weak attraction between the slightly positive hydrogen atom on one molecule and the slightly negative oxygen atom on another.

Polarity: This refers to the uneven distribution of charge within a molecule. In water, oxygen has a slight negative charge while hydrogen has a slight positive charge.

Cohesion: This is the property that makes water molecules stick together due to hydrogen bonding. It's why droplets form and why some insects can walk on water!