Professional Documents
Culture Documents
com/2021/02/stpm-
biology-biological-molecules-part.html
Water
Water is the main constituent of organisms and is also a medium for organisms to live. The unique
physical and chemical properties of water enable water to carry out these its roles.
1. Water is transparent and colorless. These properties enable aquatic animals to see their
surroundings.
2. Water has high surface tension. This enable aquatic insects (mosquito larvae, water beetles,
and water scorpions) to stick below the surface of water to breath.
3. Water is a liquid at room temperature. This provides a liquid medium aquatic organisms to live
and move.
4. Water has a very high specific heat capacity. Thus aquatic habitats have relatively stable
temperature.
5. Density of ice is lower then liquid water. Hence the aquatic habitats start freezing from the
surface. The layer of ice on the surface is an effective heat insulator. So only the surface of aquatic
habitats freezes during winter.
6. Water has low viscosity. This enable aquatic animals to move with ease in water.
7. Water has high latent heat of fusion. Thus aquatic habitats are slow to freeze. A high latent
heat of fusion means that a lot of heat has to be expelled from the water at 0°C before it could freeze
(solidify).
1. Water is a universal solvent. This allow many substances to dissolve and react inside the
cells. Chemical reactions only occur in aqueous solution.
2. Water has a very high specific heat capacity. Thus the temperature inside organisms
homeotherms is relatively stable.
3. Water has high specific heat of fusion. Thus is content of cell is slow to freeze.
4. Water has high latent heat of vaporization. Thus sweating is a very effective cooling
mechanism for mammals. This enable mammals to occupy a wider range of habitats.
5. Water has low viscosity. This enable materials to be transported quickly in organisms.