The correct answer is option C - Nutrients from food can dissolve into blood.
The versatility of water as a solvent is ascribed to its polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds, which enable it to dissolve nutrients and facilitate their transport within organisms.
Water's polar nature allows it to form hydrogen bonds, making it an excellent solvent for ions and other polar molecules. Water transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste products within living organisms. For instance, in the human body, water carries dissolved substances for distributing nutrients and maintaining bodily functions.
Additionally, the following options can also contribute to water being a universal solvent:
- Option A - Frozen water floats on top of liquid water. This property is vital for aquatic life, as it allows ice to float, creating an insulative layer that protects ecosystems in cold environments.
- Option B - Blood is able to flow through small vessels. This is also closely linked to water's properties as a solvent since blood is primarily composed of water with dissolved elements facilitating its flow and function.
Water's versatility as a solvent is attributed to its polar nature, which allows it to dissolve a wide variety of substances.