Answer:
Marine teleost fish are typically hyperosmotic compared to their environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmosis is the process of water movement across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Marine teleost fish live in seawater, which is a hypertonic environment compared to their body fluids. As a result, water tends to move out of their body cells and into the surrounding seawater through osmosis.
To counteract this water loss, marine teleost fish have evolved specialized adaptations. They actively drink seawater and have efficient salt-excreting mechanisms in their gills to eliminate excess salt. Additionally, they have highly efficient kidneys that produce small volumes of concentrated urine to conserve water.
By maintaining higher internal solute concentrations than the surrounding seawater, marine teleost fish are able to retain water within their bodies and prevent dehydration. This adaptation allows them to survive and thrive in the hyperosmotic marine environment.