BIO NMDCAT Biological Importance of Water
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The characteristic feature of a hydration shell in an aqueous solution is

A. A rigid, ice-like lattice permanently bonded to the solute
B. A layer of non-polar molecules excluding water from the solute surface
C. An organized layer of water molecules surrounding and interacting with a dissolved ion or polar molecule
D. A double layer of lipids separating the solute from the bulk water

📝 Explanation

When ions or polar molecules dissolve, water molecules orient themselves according to the charge. The δ⁺ hydrogens face an anion, and the δ⁻ oxygen faces a cation. This layer of tightly bound water is the hydration shell, which isolates and stabilizes the solute in solution.

📖 Additional Information

  • A rigid, ice-like lattice permanently bonded to the solute
  • A layer of non-polar molecules excluding water from the solute surface
  • An organized layer of water molecules surrounding and interacting with a dissolved ion or polar molecule
  • A double layer of lipids separating the solute from the bulk water

When ions or polar molecules dissolve, water molecules orient themselves according to the charge. The δ⁺ hydrogens face an anion, and the δ⁻ oxygen faces a cation. This layer of tightly bound water is the hydration shell, which isolates and stabilizes the solute in solution.

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