Question

Ionic bonds: a)are attractions between fully charged anions. b) are of limited importance in living cells because of the prevalence of water. c) are always weak. d) All of these statements are true.

1) are attractions between fully charged anions.
2) are of limited importance in living cells because of the prevalence of water.
3) are always weak.
4) All of these statements are true.

Answer 1

Ionic bonds are strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions, but their importance can be limited in living cells due to water's interaction with the ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

An ionic bond is formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, typically a cation (positively charged) and an anion (negatively charged). When dissolved in water, ionic compounds can form ion-dipole interactions, where water molecules surround the ions and partially shield their charges, affecting the strength of the ionic bonds.

Contrary to the statements in the question, ionic bonds are generally strong when they form a crystal lattice structure, such as table salt. However, their apparent strength can be of limited importance in living cells due to water's ability to interact and interfere with these bonds.

Therefore, the correct answer would be: b) are of limited importance in living cells because of the prevalence of water.