Question

the paramecia in this image are single - celled organisms that live in fresh water. they have a specialized organelle called a contractile vacuole that continuously pumps water out of the cell so that they can maintain homeostasis. based on this information, are the paramecia likely in a hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic solution, relative to their internal concentration?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand osmosis concepts

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi - permeable membrane. In a hypotonic solution, there is a higher water concentration outside the cell compared to inside. In an isotonic solution, the water concentration is the same inside and outside the cell. In a hypertonic solution, there is a lower water concentration outside the cell compared to inside.

Step2: Analyze paramecium situation

Paramecia have a contractile vacuole that pumps water out of the cell. This indicates that water is constantly entering the cell. Since water moves from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration, the environment outside the paramecium must have a higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) than the inside of the cell.

Answer:

Hypotonic