Question

question 5. water has a much higher specific heat than most other covalent compounds. what do you predict might happen if water had a low specific heat instead? a. plants would not have enough water to effectively carry out photosynthesis b. harmful organisms living in water would reproduce at a rapid rate c. flooding would occur and animals would be forced to migrate d. organisms that are sensitive to changes in temperature would die

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the role of water's high specific heat: it stabilizes temperature. If water had low specific heat, temperature changes would be rapid. Organisms sensitive to temperature changes (option D) would die because their physiological processes are adapted to stable temperatures; rapid temp shifts would disrupt them. Option A: Photosynthesis water need isn't tied to specific heat. Option B: Reproduction rate of harmful organisms isn't directly linked to specific heat. Option C: Flooding and migration aren't caused by low specific heat (flooding is about water volume, migration due to temp but D is more direct about sensitive organisms dying).

Answer:

D. Organisms that are sensitive to changes in temperature would die