# Explain how the properties of water are important during sweating as a mechanism for cooling the human body.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.1.7 Water · Explain · 5 marks

> When the human body overheats, sweat glands produce sweat, which is released onto the skin surface. As sweat evaporates, the body temperature falls.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Water has a high specific heat capacity / requires a large amount of energy to change temperature
2. This helps prevent the body temperature from rising too rapidly / helps maintain a stable internal temperature
3. Water has a high latent heat of evaporation / a large amount of energy is needed to evaporate water
4. When sweat evaporates, it takes a large amount of heat energy away from the skin / body
5. Water is a good solvent, so sweat can carry dissolved waste / solutes (e.g. urea, ions) out of the body

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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