2.1.2 water

Question 1

what are the properties of water that make it important to living organisms?

Answer 1

excellent solvent
acts as a transport medium
high specific heat capacity
high latent heat of vaporisation
water is less dense than ice
high surface tension and cohesion
acts as a reagent

Question 2

how is water good as a solvent?

Answer 2

many ions and polar substances can dissolve in it
chemical reactions can occur in cels
metabolites can be transported efficiently
transport

Question 3

what is the advantage of having a high specific heat capacity?

Answer 3

has many hydrogen bonds giving it a high specific heat capacity
stable habitats for aquatic animals
water in blood plasma can transfer heat around the body to maintain a constant temperature

Question 4

what is the advantage of having a high latent heat of vaporisation?

Answer 4

has many hydrogen bonds is the reason for having a high latent heat of vaporisation
only little water is required to evaporate for organism to lose great amount of heat
cooling effect