Question
Which of these best explains why a freshwater aquartum would be a dangerous habitat for saltwater (ocean)fish? a The cells of the saltwater fish would gain too much water. b The cells of the saltwater fish would absorb too much acid. c The cells of the saltwater fish would produce too much protein. d The cells of the saltwater fish would use too much energy.
Answer
4.4
(318 Votes)
Jemima
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
a The cells of the saltwater fish would gain too much water.
Explanation
## Step 1This problem is about understanding the physiological impact of different water environments on fish, focusing on osmoregulation. Osmoregulation is the process by which living organisms maintain the balance of water and electrolytes in their bodies. Here, we are comparing freshwater and saltwater environments and their effects on saltwater fish.## Step 2Saltwater fish are adapted to live in an environment where the concentration of salt (and other solutes) is higher than that inside their bodies. This means that water tends to leave their bodies by osmosis, and they have evolved mechanisms to counter this, such as drinking large amounts of water and actively excreting salt through their gills and kidneys.## Step 3When placed in freshwater, the external environment has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the body fluids of the saltwater fish. This leads to a reverse situation where water tends to enter the body of the fish by osmosis. The cells of the fish would gain too much water, potentially leading to swelling and damage. This osmotic imbalance can be fatal as the fish's body is not adapted to handle the influx of water and the dilution of electrolytes.## Step 4The other options (b, c, and d) do not directly relate to the critical osmotic differences between freshwater and saltwater environments and their impact on fish physiology.