AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Water has the ability to dissolve many substances but the term “universal solvent” is misleading. Water is able to dissolve other polar molecules and ions, such as sugars and salts. However, nonpolar molecules like oils lack partial positive or partial negative charges, so they are not attracted to water molecules.

Detailed explanation-2: -As a result of water’s polarity, each water molecule attracts other water molecules because of the opposite charges between them, forming hydrogen bonds. Water also attracts, or is attracted to, other polar molecules and ions, including many biomolecules, such as sugars, nucleic acids, and some amino acids.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water is called the “universal solvent” because it is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid. This is important to every living thing on earth. It means that wherever water goes, either through the air, the ground, or through our bodies, it takes along valuable chemicals, minerals, and nutrients.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hydrogen bonds allow ions and other polar molecules to dissolve in water. Therefore, water is an excellent solvent. The hydrogen bonds between water molecules cause the water to have a high heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of added heat to raise its temperature.

Detailed explanation-5: -In order to be dissolved in water, compounds must either be polar or charged-this allows the compounds to interact with the dipoles on the water molecule. If molecules are non-polar, this means there are no dipoles or full charges on the atoms in the compound.