· Solvent – Good for polar substances (salts, sugars, simple alcohols)
· Heat Capacity – Energy to raise 1kg water by 1oK. Keeps blood temperature stable
· Heat of Vaporisation – Good for sweat, absorbs a lot of energy
· Density and Freezing – Maximum density at 4oC, cold water insulates warm water underneath. Ice also has a lower density than water so floats
· Surface Tension and Cohesion – Cohesion drives water up Xylem, Surface tension allows bugs to walk across it
· Reagent – Hydrolysis reactions, H source in photosynthesis
· Viscosity – Makes transport easier (Osmosis, swimming)
· Support – Not easily compressed (Turgid cells, amniotic sac, hydrostatic skeleton)
· Amphoteric – Good buffer