Water is a versatile solvent owing to the polarity of the water molecule. Charged regions of polar water molecules have an electrical attraction to charged ions. Water surrounds individual ions, separating and shielding them from one another. Charged regions of polar water molecules have an affinity for oppositely charged regions of other polar molecules. Solute concentration in aqueous solutions.
Most biochemical reactions involve solutes dissolved in water.
Reaction is reversible. At equilibrium, most of the H20 is not ionized. A. Organisms are sensitive to changes in pH 1. Also removes OH- because it tends to combine with H to form H 2 0. Scale used to measure degree of acidity.