Water Potential
The structure and properties of water Water consists of an oxygen atom covalently bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom carries a partial negative charge, and a corresponding partial positive charge is shared between the two hydrogen atoms. This asymmetric electron distribution makes water a polar molecule. However, the partial charges are equal, and the water remains a neutral molecule. There is a strong electrical attraction between adjacent water molecules or between water and other polar molecules, which is called hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bonding ability of water and its polar structure make it a particularly good solvent for ionic substances and for molecules such as sugars and proteins. The hydration shells that form around biologically important macromolecules are often referred to as bound water. Bound water prevents protein molecules from approaching close enough to form aggregates large enough to precipitate.
CMP Bio World 