Which Characteristic of Water Contributes Most to the Relatively Constant

question 149

Multiple Choice

Which characteristic of water contributes most to the relatively constant temperatures of the oceans?

• A) Water has the ability to ionize slightly.
• B) Water has a high specific heat.
• C) Salt water has low surface tension.
• D) Salt water is denser than freshwater.
• E) Water requires a small amount of heat energy to raise its temperature.

---

Definitions:

Stromatolites

Layered bio-chemical structures formed in shallow water by the trapping, binding, and cementation of sedimentary grains by microorganisms, mainly cyanobacteria.

Mineralized Layers

Layers or deposits of organic or inorganic material that have been transformed into a solid, mineral-like substance over time.

Bacteria

Microscopic, single-celled organisms found everywhere on Earth, playing critical roles in both the environment and human health.

Lineages of Prokaryotes

The ancestral lines of descent among prokaryotic organisms, which include bacteria and archaea.