Water is essential to all living things. (a) Identify THREE properties of water. (b) Describe the property of water responsible for any ONE of the following statements. You are only choosing to discuss one of these four statements. (1): The role of water as a medium for the metabolic processes of cells (2) The ability of water to control temperature within living organisms and in the environment (3) The movement of water from the roots to the leaves of plants (4) The ability of other molecules to dissolve in water

gas, solid, liquid

Explanation:

(A) The main properties of water are its polarity, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat, and evaporative cooling.

(B) (1) Water is the medium for various enzymatic & chemical reactions in the body.

(B) (2)  Waters high specific heat enables it to act as an absorber of heat inside an organisms body. -

(B) (3) Transpiration is the loss of water from a plant in the form of water vapor.

(B) (4)Because of its polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds, water makes an excellent solvent, meaning that it can dissolve many different kinds of molecules.

Explanation:

(A) A water molecule is slightly charged on both ends. This is because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

(B) (1) It moves nutrients, hormones, antibodies and oxygen through the blood stream and lymphatic system. The proteins and enzymes in our body function more efficiently in solutions of low viscosity.

(B) (2)  Waters high heat of vaporization allows the body to cool by perspiring. When the water evaporates off the skin a lot of heat is absorbed. Explain the movement of water from the roots to the leaves of plants.

(B) (3) Water is absorbed by roots from the soil and transported as a liquid to the leaves via xylem. In the leaves, small pores allow water to escape as a vapor.