AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Water is called a ‘universal solvent’ because water can dissolve much more substances than any other liquid found in nature but water cannot dissolve every substance. For example-water cannot dissolve fats, waxes, and hydroxides due to the low solubility of oppositely charged particles.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Oil is not a universal solvent, as not every substance can dissolve in it. A universal solvent refers to a substance that dissolves a solute to form a solution. No soluble substance can dissolve easily in oil, nor does oil dissolve easily in any other substance.

Detailed explanation-4: -Therefore, the answer is – option (a) – The given statement is true.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water has the ability to dissolve a large number of substances which include solids, liquids and gases. It is because of this wide spectrum of substances that it can dissolve, water is called universal solvent.