Why is water essential to living things?
A. Water is essential because it is an inorganic compound.
B. Water is essential because it contains hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
C. Water is essential to many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body.
D. Water is essential because, without it, people would have no fish to eat, and they could not get the protein that they need.
C. Water is essential to many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body.
The correct answer is C. Water is essential to many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body. Water is involved in various biological processes, including digestion, nutrient transport, waste removal, and temperature regulation. It serves as a solvent, meaning it can dissolve and transport various substances within the body. Additionally, water is necessary for the proper functioning of cells, tissues, and organs. Without water, these processes would be disrupted, and living organisms would not be able to survive.
The correct answer is C. Water is essential to many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body.
Explanation: Water is often referred to as the "universal solvent", as it is capable of dissolving many different substances. This property allows water to transport various nutrients, gases, and waste products within the body. Additionally, water plays a crucial role in maintaining temperature regulation, lubricating joints, cushioning organs, and promoting digestion.
To arrive at this answer, we can eliminate options A, B, and D. Option A states that water is essential because it is an inorganic compound. While true, this does not explain why water is specifically essential to living things. Option B states that water is essential because it contains hydrogen and oxygen atoms. While this is true, it does not comprehensively explain why water is essential for living organisms. Lastly, option D states that water is essential because without it, people would have no fish to eat and would not get the needed protein. While this may be a potential benefit of water, it does not explain why water is essential in the first place.
Therefore, by process of elimination, the correct answer is C. Water is essential to many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body.