(8) Explain how the various properties of water are important to life (beyond the fact that water is the major component of our cells).

A. Cohesion, hydrogen bonds holding water molecules together, and adhesion, the clinging of one substance to another, help plants to receive water from their roots.
Water is also a good solvent and a vital part of many metabolic processes within the body. In addition, the ability of water to dissolve oxygen is absolutely vital for all aquatic animals.
It also affects climates and helps creating many different biomes.
Water is also important in the process of neutralizing acids and bases as well as in photosynthesis and respiration of plants.

B. High heat capacity these properties allow water to moderate Earth's climate by buffering large fluctuations in temperature.
Forms hydrogen bonds – relates to heat capacity
Adhesive cohesive – makes water stick together and also polar
Ice liquid gas – if ice sinks life would die but since ice floats due to density it allows life to live under water in cold places by forming a protective layer. Liquid form is use to maintain life (go into detail). Gas form moves water around the world then later become rain.
Excellent solvent. - It is the solvent for the electrolytes and nutrients needed by the cells, and also the solvent to carry waste material away from the cells.

C.Covalent bonds
Water is polar
Dissolves most things
Cohesion between two water molecules
Allows water to move up in a plant.
Causes friction
Water as a solid is less dense than as a liquid
Water floats which means not all of a lake will freeze.
Oxygen dissolves in Water
Digestion
Breaking down and forming molecules

D.The physical arrangement of its component molecules makes water a unique substance. The property of cohesion is due to hydrogen bonding, water molecules tend to stick firmly to each other, resisting external forces that would break these bonds. Molecules on the surface are drawn downward, resulting in a surface that is taut like an inflated balloon. This condition call surface tension is important in lives of aquatic organisms. The surface of the water is able tot support objects and animas such a the water striders and water spiders. Viscosity is the source of frictional resistance to objects moving through water. Water’s greater density can profoundly affect the metabolism of marine organisms inhabiting the deeper waters of the ocean. The solvent properties of water are responsible for most of the minerals (elements and inorganic compounds) found in aquatic environment

E.Water has high specific heat so it helps bodies of waters(ponds, lakes, etc) slowly warm p and cool off. Prevents wide seasonal fluctuations of aquatic habitats. Thermal regulation of organisms because 75-95 percent of the weight of all living cells is water, temperature variation is also moderated relative to changes in ambient temperature. Water has cohesive properties (plants and uptake of water). Surface tension (allows certain organisms to glide across surface). The physical adaptations to aquatic animals allow it to reduce friction against water (viscosity). Viscosity of water is relative to air due to its greater density. May be buoyant if a body submerged in water weights less than the water it displaces. Most aquatic organisms are close to neutral buoyancy (density is similar to that of water) they don’t require structural material to keep them erect. Density of water can affect metabolism in deeper waters because of its greater density, water experiences greater changes to pressure with depth than does air. Universal solvent and is responsible for most of the minerals found in aquatic environments (freshwater vs saltwater fish?). Rain accumulates additional substances as it drops from the clouds. Water is less dense as a solid, supports life in the winter.