1.

Describe three properties of water and explain their importance in living

organisms. (6)
1.) Water is an excellent solvent. Water has a dipolar structure, with Oxygen being more
electronegative than Hydrogen, Oxygen has a partial negative charge, and Hydrogen a partial positive
charge. This means polar molecules (Cations or Anions) are hydrophilic and are therefore able to
dissolve well in water.

2.) Water has a high specific heat capacity. This means a lot of energy is required to raise the
temperature of water, via breaking the hydrogen bonds. This is useful to organisms as the
temperature of water within plants and animals remains relatively constant. Meaning that enzymes
won’t denature.

3.) Large Latent Heat of Vaporisation. This means a lot of energy is required to convert water into a
gas, via breaking the hydrogen bonds. This is useful in organisms which sweat. The water within the
sweat secreted by the skin absorbs the heat off the surface of the skin and then evaporates, taking
the thermal energy as a result. This provides a cooling effect.

2.Give two inorganic ions within the human body and describe one function of
each. (4)

1.) Phosphate ions. Release energy via aerobic respiration (Phosphodiester bond between 2
phosphate ions undergoes hydrolysis reaction releasing energy)

2.) Potassium ions. Play a key role in the Sodium Potassium pump in epithelial cells.