AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Water’s extensive capability to dissolve a variety of molecules has earned it the designation of “universal solvent, ” and it is this ability that makes water such an invaluable life-sustaining force. On a biological level, water’s role as a solvent helps cells transport and use substances like oxygen or nutrients.

Detailed explanation-2: -The excellent ability of water to dissolve so many substances allows our cells to use valuable nutrients, minerals, and chemicals in biological processes. Water’s “stickiness” (from surface tension) plays a part in our body’s ability to transport these materials all through ourselves.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water has the unique ability to dissolve many polar and ionic substances. This is important to all living things because, as water travels through the water cycle, it takes many valuable nutrients along with it!

Detailed explanation-4: -Water owes these unique properties to the polarity of its molecules and, specifically, to their ability to form hydrogen bonds with each other and with other molecules.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water’s Polarity One of water’s important properties is that it is composed of polar molecules: the hydrogen and oxygen within water molecules (H2O) form polar covalent bonds.