water

Question 1

explain 5 properties of water that make water important for organisms (5)

Answer 1

1. is a metabolite in condensation and hydrolysis reactions
2. is a solvent in which metabolic reactions occur
3. high specific heat capacity- buffers changes in temperature
4. high latent heat of vaporisation- provides cooling effect through evaporation
5. strong cohesion- supports continuous columns of water in plants
6. strong cohesion where water meets air produces surface tension- supports small organisms

Question 2

state and explain the property of water that buffers changes in temperature (2)

Answer 2

1. high specific heat capacity
2. lots of energy required to change temperature of water