Why is water considered a polar molecule, and how does its polarity contribute to key solvent properties in biological systems?

Why is water considered a polar molecule, and how does its polarity contribute to key solvent properties in biological systems?

• A. Water is nonpolar, preventing hydrogen bonding and making it a poor solvent for polar compounds.
• B. Water is polar because it has a bent geometry and uneven electron distribution due to oxygen's high electronegativity; hydrogen bonding leads to high heat capacity, cohesion, surface tension, and its ability to dissolve polar and ionic compounds and participate in hydrolysis.
• C. Water polarity arises from equal sharing of electrons, which has no impact on solvent properties.
• D. Water polarity means it cannot hydrogen bond with itself or other molecules.

Answer: (B)