water

Question 1

metabolite

Answer 1

water used in many biochemical reations as a reactant e.g, condensation and hydrolysis

Question 2

solvent

Answer 2

universal solvent of particles due to its dipolar charge, it attracts other polar molecules and then they dissolve so chemical reactions can take place in solution. water acts as a transport medium (plasma, xylem). non polar molecules such as lipids do not dissolve in water

Question 3

high specific heat capacity

Answer 3

large amount of heat energy needed to raise its temp (bc hydrogen bonds between molecules restrict movement resisting increase in kinetic energy). this prevent large fluctuations in temp keeping aquatic habitats stable, human body stable.

Question 4

high latent heat vaporisation

Answer 4

lots of heat energy needed to change from liquid to vapour, so lots of heat energy is taken away from the body through sweat

Question 5

cohesion

Answer 5

water molecules attract eachother and form h bonds. because there are many of them, they stick together in a lattice and allows columns of water to be drawn up the xylem in plant cells

Question 6

high surface tension

Answer 6

cohesion between surface molecules of water causes high surface tension. small insects can rest upon the water

Question 7

high density

Answer 7

ice is less dense than water so it provides insulation as it floats

Question 8

transparent

Answer 8

allows light to pass through so plants beneath can still photosynthesise