Which of the following are soluble compounds that contribute to intracellular osmolarity in shark tissues?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sharks are osmoregulators that must maintain high solute concentrations in their tissues to counteract the influx of water. Urea and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) are two solutes that contribute significantly to the shark's intracellular osmolarity. These compounds are highly soluble in water and can accumulate to very high concentrations within the shark's cells. In contrast, sodium and chloride ions are typically kept at much lower concentrations, as excessive levels of these ions can be toxic to cells. Glucose and amino acids can also contribute to intracellular osmolarity, but they are not as important as urea and TMAO in shark tissues. Proton pumps, although important for regulating pH, do not contribute to osmolarity in the same way as solutes such as urea and TMAO.

Which of the Following Are Soluble Compounds That Contribute to Intracellular