High salt concentrations limit the growth of microbes adapted to freshwater conditions because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freshwater is a hypotonic solution, meaning it has a lower concentration of solutes than the cytoplasm of most microbes. As a result, microbes living in freshwater have adapted mechanisms to prevent excessive water loss. When placed in a high salt concentration, water moves out of the cytoplasm of microbes, leading to dehydration and inhibited growth. High salt concentrations do not have a direct impact on the electron acceptors used during cellular respiration, the temperature of the environment or the pH of the environment.

High Salt Concentrations Limit the Growth of Microbes Adapted to Freshwater