1.6 - Water

Question 1

Name the five properties of water that make it a useful molecule in biology

Answer 1

Useful metabolite
Useful solvent
High specific heat capacity
Large latent heat of vaporisation
Cohesive

Question 2

Explain the advantage of water being a good metabolite

Answer 2

It is a metabolite in condensation, hydrolysis, photosynthesis, respiration

Question 3

Explain the advantage of water being a good solvent

Answer 3

Metabolic reactions can occur and substances can be transported

Question 4

Explain the advantage of water having a high specific heat capacity

Answer 4

Buffers changes in temperature

Question 5

Explain the advantage of water having cohesive properties

Answer 5

Cohesion between water molecules supports columns of water
Cohesion between water molecules produces surface tension which supports organisms

Question 6

Explain the advantage of water having a large latent heat of vaporisation

Answer 6

Provides a cooling effect through evaporation