The high specific heat capacity of water benefits living organisms mainly because it
- A. makes water an excellent solvent for ions
- B. allows cell temperature to fluctuate rapidly with the surroundings
- C. keeps the temperature of cells and of water bodies relatively stable
- D. speeds up every enzyme controlled reaction
Explanation
A large amount of heat is needed to raise the temperature of water because much of the energy first breaks hydrogen bonds between molecules. This buffers cells and coastal climates against sudden change. It is a different property from solvent power, which comes from polarity.
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