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State the 7 biologically important properties of water
Reaches max density as a liquid
High surface tension
Incompressible
Universal solvent
High specific heat capacity
High latent heat of vaporisation
Cohesion between molecules
Why is the incompressible nature of water important for organisms? [2]
Provides turgidity to plant cells
Provides hydrostatic skeleton for small animals, e.g earthworms
Explain why ice floats on water
Ice is less dense than water because H-bonds hold molecules in fixed positions further away from each other
Why is the fact that ice floats on water important for organisms?
Insulates water in arctic climates so aquatic organisms can survive, allowing to act as a habitat.
Why is the high surface tension of water important for organisms? [3]
Slows water loss due to transpiration in plants
Water rises unusually high in narrow tubes, lowering demand on root pressure
Some insects can ‘skim’ across the surface of water
Why is water an important solvent for organisms? Give an example
Polar universal solvent dissolves and transports charged particles involved in intra and extra cellular reactions
E.g Po₄³⁻ for DNA synthesis
Why are the high specific heat capacity and latent of vaporisation of water important for organisms? [2]
Acts as a temperature buffer which enables endotherms to keep a core optimum temperature for enzyme activity
Cooling effect when water evaporates from skin surface as sweat/from mouth when panting
Why is cohesion between water molecules important for life?
When water is transported through the body,they all stick together
What is adhesion?
The sticking together of two different types of molecules
Why is adhesion with water and other polar molecules important? [2]
It works with cohesion to cause capillary action
This is when water can move up narrow tubes against gravity
Note 
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