Question

Which functions of water in living systems would still be possible if water was not polar and did not form hydrogen bonds? Check all that apply.

climate regulation

dissolving ionic compounds for biological reactions

providing body support by exerting pressure on cell walls

providing body support through buoyancy

transport of nutrients within organisms

temperature regulation in many organisms

Answer 1

- providing body support by exerting pressure on cell walls
- providing body support through buoyancy

Reason: buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure only require a liquid with density and incompressibility, so they would still occur. The others depend on water's polarity and hydrogen bonding (high specific heat for temperature/climate regulation, solvent ability for dissolving ionic compounds and nutrient transport, cohesion/adhesion for xylem transport), so they would not work if water were nonpolar and unable to hydrogen-bond.