When water activity is low, an organism must
A) increase its internal solute concentration.
B) increase its external solute concentration.
C) decrease its internal solute concentration.
D) decrease its external solute concentration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When water activity is low, an organism must increase its internal solute concentration to maintain water balance and prevent dehydration. This is because water moves from areas of high water activity to areas of low water activity, so if the external environment has low water activity, then water will tend to leave the organism's cells. By increasing the internal solute concentration, the organism can draw water into its cells from the surrounding environment and maintain proper hydration.

When Water Activity Is Low, an Organism Must