Suppose an absent-minded aquatic biologist accidentally puts a freshwater fish i

Question

Suppose an absent-minded aquatic biologist accidentally puts a freshwater fish in a saltwater aquarium. Thus, saltwater would be free to enter the fish and surround its body cells. What would happen to the cells of this fish?

a. Osmosis will not affect the fish’s cells, because there will be no net movement of water into or out of the cells.

b. Osmosis will cause water to enter the fish’s cells until they burst.

c. Osmosis will change the fish's cells such that it is now adapted for a saltwater environment.

d. Osmosis will cause water to leave the fish’s cells, making the cells collapse.

e. Osmosis will cause water to flow from the hypertonic cells to the hypotonic aquarium.

Explanation / Answer

d. Osmosis will cause water to leave the fish’s cells, making the cells collapse.

If a freshwater fish were put in salt water, there will be a net movement of water from the cells of the fish to the salt water.   

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