Final answer:
Water's ability to break down large chemical compounds and transport them to the body's cells is described by its dissolving power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water is the most abundant solvent in the body and has the ability to break down large chemical compounds and transport them to the body's cells. This property is known as dissolving power. Because water molecules are polar, they readily dissolve ionic compounds and polar covalent compounds. These compounds are referred to as hydrophilic, or 'water-loving.' Nonpolar molecules, on the other hand, do not dissolve easily in water and are called hydrophobic, or 'water-fearing.'