Water

Question 1

Explain 5 properties that make water important for organisms.

Answer 1

1. Solvent so metabolic reactions can occur
2. Cohesion so supports columns of water
3. High latent heat of vaporisation so provides a cooling effect
4. High specific heat capacity so buffers changes in temperature
5. A metabolite in hydrolysis/condensation/photosynthesis/respiration

Question 2

Give two properties of water that are important in the cytoplasm of cells and explain the importance.

Answer 2

• It is a universal solvent, metabolic reactions occur faster in solution
• It is reactive, takes place in hydrolysis/condensation