Question 34
Cell and Its EnvironmentWhen a marine fish was taken from the ocean and put in a tank of fresh water, it died after a short period because
- A.the tank was too small compared to the large ocean
- B.the body cells of the fish swelled and burst as a result of the hypotonic fresh water
- C.the body cells of the fish shrank as their sap was hypertonic to the fresh water
- D.there was no food in the tank, so the fish starved.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B (the body cells of the fish swelled and burst as a result of the hypotonic fresh water)
Explanation
Fresh water is hypotonic (more dilute) compared with the fish's body fluids. Water enters the cells by osmosis until they swell and burst.