Chapter 4, Problem 2AA

Summary Introduction

To determine: Whether the natural surroundings of Paramecium is hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic with respect to the cell.

Concept introduction: Osmoregulation is the process of controlling the solute concentration along the water balance in the body or cell. Every organism has some osmoregulatory system that maintains the fluid balance in the body. A hypotonic solution is the solution that has less solute concentration compared to the solute concentration in the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it gets swelled due to water intake and lyses. Isotonic solution has a similar solute concentration and water potential as of the cell, so the cell volume remains stable. Hypertonic solution is the solution in which the solute concentration is high compared to the solute in the cell. So, the cell suffers loss of water, shrivels, and might die in the absence of appropriate adaptations.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The osmoregulatory problem faced by the Paramecium in pond water.

Concept introduction: Osmoregulation is the process of controlling the solute concentration along the water balance in the body or cell. Every organism has some osmoregulatory system that maintains the fluid balance in the body. A hypotonic solution is the solution that has less solute concentration compared to the solute concentration in the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it gets swelled due to water intake and lyses. Isotonic solution has a similar solute concentration and water potential as of the cell, so the cell volume remains stable. Hypertonic solution is the solution in which the solute concentration is high compared to the solute in the cell. So, the cell suffers loss of water, shrivels and might die in the absence of appropriate adaptations.

Summary Introduction

To explain: How the Paramecium copes with the osmoregulatory problem.

Concept introduction: Osmoregulation is the process of controlling the solute concentration along the water balance in the body or cell. Every organism has some osmoregulatory system that maintains the fluid balance in the body. A hypotonic solution is the solution that has less solute concentration compared to the solute concentration in the cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it gets swelled due to water intake and lyses. Isotonic solution has a similar solute concentration and water potential as of the cell, so the cell volume remains stable. Hypertonic solution is the solution in which the solute concentration is high compared to the solute in the cell. So, the cell suffers loss of water, shrivels, and might die in the absence of appropriate adaptations.