WATER

Question 1

Explain 5 properties that make water important for organisms (5 marks):

Answer 1

1. A metabolite in condensation/ hydrolysis reactions
2. A solvent so metabolic reactions can occur
3. High heat capacity so buffers changes in temperature
4. Large latent heat of vaporisation so provides a cooling effect (through evaporation)
5. Cohesion (between water molecules) so support columns of water

Question 2

Five properties which make water important for organisms:

Answer 2

1. A metabolate in condensation/ hydrolysis reactions
2. A solvent for metabolic reactions to occur
3. High heat capacity so buffers changes in temperature
4. Large latent heat of vapourisation so provides a cooling effect (through evaporation)
5. Cohesion (between water molecules) so supports columns of water
6. Cohesion between water molecules so produces large surface tension supporting small organisms