The Osmoregulatory and Ionoregulatory Problems Facing a Saltwater Fish Are

Question

The osmoregulatory and ionoregulatory problems facing a saltwater fish are
A)loss of water and loss of ions.
B)loss of water and gain of ions.
C)gain of water and loss of ions.
D)gain of water and gain of ions.
E)buildup of urea in tissues.

Accepted Answer

Saltwater fish live in a hypertonic environment, which means that there is a higher concentration of solutes (salt) outside their body than inside. As a result, they face the problem of losing water through osmosis, and they need to actively transport ions (Na+, Cl-) into their body to maintain ion balance. Therefore, the correct answer is B, which states that saltwater fish face the problems of losing water and gaining ions.