water

Question 1

solvent

Answer 1

water dissolves in a large range of molecules which allows water to act as a transport medium for polar molecules

Question 2

specific heat capacity

Answer 2

A lot of energy to raise temp of water and a lot of energy needs to be lost before temp falls so a high water content of cells and tissues helps them to maintain a constant temp. More important for organisms that need optimum enzyme activity

Question 3

latent heat of vaporisation

Answer 3

evaporation is a cooling mechanism relying on water becoming gas

Question 4

density

Answer 4

ice floats so organisms can survive below the surface of ice which acts as an insulating layer

Question 5

adhesion

Answer 5

molecules stick to different types of molecule, a strong force of atraction between the water molecules an the walls of the xylem allow transpiration to take plaace