Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Test 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

The property of water that makes it an effective solvent for many substances critical for biological functions is its polarity. Water is a polar molecule, which means it has a slight positive charge on one end (the hydrogen atoms) and a slight negative charge on the other end (the oxygen atom). This polarity allows water molecules to interact with and surround various solutes, effectively facilitating their dissolution.

When ionic compounds or polar molecules are introduced to water, the positive and negative ends of the water molecules attract the oppositely charged ions or regions of the polar molecules. This interaction helps to separate and disperse these substances throughout the solution, making water an excellent medium for chemical reactions and transport within biological systems.

The high specific heat of water is significant for temperature regulation but does not directly contribute to its solvent properties. The ability to ionize relates to specific chemical reactions and processes but does not encompass the overall solvent capabilities of water. Additionally, while water can form covalent bonds, it primarily participates in hydrogen bonding, which is crucial for its unique solvent characteristics. Thus, the polarity of water is the key property that underlies its function as an effective solvent in biological contexts.