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

Question 3

water as metabolite

Answer 3

for hydrolysis and condensation reactions

Question 4

water as solvent

Answer 4

for metabolic reactions

Question 5

strong cohesion

Answer 5

• supports continuous columns of water in plants
• produces surface tension which supports small organisms

Question 6

high latent heat of vaporisation

Answer 6

provides cooling effect through evaporation