Which property of water allows it to help regulate temperature in living organisms?

• A. High specific heat capacity
• B. Ability to dissolve nonpolar substances
• C. Low surface tension
• D. High density as a solid

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of specific heat capacity: Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store large amounts of heat energy without a significant change in temperature.
2. Relate high specific heat capacity to temperature regulation: In living organisms, water's high specific heat capacity helps stabilize internal temperatures by absorbing excess heat during metabolic processes or environmental changes, preventing rapid temperature fluctuations.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: Analyze the other choices. 'Ability to dissolve nonpolar substances' is incorrect because water is a polar solvent and dissolves polar substances, not nonpolar ones. 'Low surface tension' is incorrect because water actually has high surface tension due to hydrogen bonding. 'High density as a solid' is incorrect because water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid.
4. Focus on the correct property: High specific heat capacity is the property of water that directly contributes to its ability to regulate temperature in living organisms. This is due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which require significant energy to break.
5. Summarize the importance: Water's high specific heat capacity is crucial for maintaining stable environments in cells and organisms, ensuring that biochemical processes can occur efficiently despite external temperature changes.