Chapter 49.4, Problem 1LO

Summary Introduction

To differentiate: Osmotic adaptations in marine fish and freshwater fish.

Introduction: Osmosis refers to the process of diffusion of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane. This movement of water molecules typically occurs to a less dilute solute from a more dilute solute. The osmotic pressure denotes the measure of the solution’s tendency to gain water molecules through osmosis. A solution’s tonicity indicates the measure of its ability to alter the cell’s volume through osmosis. An animal cell takes in water in a hypotonic solution, excretes water in a hypertonic solution, and no net exchange of water is observed when placed in an isotonic solution.