Final answer:
Water forms hydrogen bonds with polar and ionic molecules, making it an excellent solvent for hydrophilic substances. Nonpolar, hydrophobic substances do not dissolve well in water. The hydration shell formed by water around dissolved particles is crucial for maintaining life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water is an excellent solvent capable of forming hydrogen bonds with virtually all polar and ionic molecules. Due to its polar nature, water has slight positive and negative charges, enabling it to dissolve ionic compounds and polar molecules through the formation of hydrogen bonds. This characteristic of water is essential for life because it allows for various substances to be dissolved and for chemical reactions to take place within living organisms.
Some compounds, known as hydrophilic ("water-loving"), such as sugars and salts, interact well with water because they contain polar regions that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. On the other hand, nonpolar molecules, like oils and fats, are referred to as hydrophobic ("water-fearing") because they do not dissolve well in water. The solvent properties of water enable the formation of a hydration shell or sphere of hydration around dissolved particles, keeping them dispersed in the water.