Final answer:
A single-celled freshwater protist in hypertonic salt water would shrivel; a salt-water snail in hypotonic freshwater would swell; lettuce in hypertonic salt water would become limp; and carrots in hypotonic distilled water would become crisp.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using the terms hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic to describe the osmotic effects on organisms in different environments:
- a. A single-celled freshwater protist in salt water: The salt water is hypertonic compared to the protist's cytoplasm. Water would move out of the protist, potentially causing it to shrivel and die.
- b. A salt-water snail in freshwater: The freshwater is hypotonic relative to the snail's body fluids. Water would rush into the snail, which may result in swelling or bursting of its cells.
- c. A head of lettuce in salt water: The salt water is hypertonic. The lettuce cells would lose water and the lettuce would become limp due to dehydration.
- d. A bunch of carrots in distilled water: The distilled water is hypotonic to the carrot cells. Water would enter the cells, and the carrots would become firm and crisp.