Multiple choice general knowledge

A healthy freshwater fish is placed in saltwater. The expected consequence of this would be that

  1. the fish becomes dehydrated and dies

  2. the fish becomes bloated and dies

  3. the fish suffers from fungal or bacterial disease and dies

  4. ther is no observable effect on the fish provided there is sufficient food
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Freshwater fish are hypotonic to their environment, meaning their body fluids have lower salt concentration than the surrounding water. In saltwater, water rapidly leaves their cells through osmosis to balance salt concentrations, causing severe dehydration and death. The fish does not become bloated - that would happen if a saltwater fish were placed in freshwater.

Keep practicing — related questions