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Multiple Choice
How does the high specific heat of water benefit the human body?
A
It prevents water from evaporating from the skin.
B
It causes rapid fluctuations in body temperature with minor environmental changes.
C
It helps maintain a stable internal body temperature despite external temperature changes.
D
It increases the rate of metabolic reactions in cells.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of specific heat: Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a high specific heat due to hydrogen bonding between water molecules.
Relate specific heat to temperature regulation: Because water can absorb and store large amounts of heat without a significant change in temperature, it acts as a thermal buffer in the human body.
Consider the human body's composition: The human body is composed of approximately 60% water, which means water's high specific heat plays a critical role in stabilizing internal body temperature.
Analyze the benefit: Water's ability to resist rapid temperature changes helps the body maintain homeostasis, ensuring that metabolic processes and enzyme functions occur efficiently despite external temperature fluctuations.
Eliminate incorrect options: The high specific heat of water does not prevent evaporation, cause rapid temperature fluctuations, or directly increase metabolic reaction rates. The correct benefit is maintaining a stable internal body temperature.