Water is a polar molecule due to uneven distribution of charge within the molecule
It is a polar solvent in which many metabolic reactions occur
It has a high specific heat capacity, minimising temperature fluctuations
It has a relatively large latent heat of vaporisation, providing a cooling effect with little water loss
Cohesion and adhesion - water molecules stick together and adhere to the sides of tube-like cells
Maximum density of water is at 4 degrees Celsius, meaning ice is less dense than water and floats
Water is incompressible, therefore it provides good support and can be used in hydraulic mechanisms
