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Question
The molly fish is capable of surviving in freshwater, brackish water and sea water. Which of the following terms best describes this fish?
The molly fish is capable of surviving in freshwater, brackish water and sea water. Which of the following terms best describes this fish?
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Solution
The correct option is C Euryhaline
Every organism responds when the conditions of temperature, humidity, salinity etc., in its environment changes. Some organisms respond by keeping a steady internal state (regulators) irrespective of the changes outside, some respond by conforming their internal environment to the changes (conformers), while some try to evade an encounter with the unfavourable conditions altogether by moving to a different location or reduce the metabolic activities.
Salinity refers to the amount of salt dissolved in a water body and is measured in parts per thousand (ppt) which is equivalent to the milligrams of salt present in 1 gram of water. Salinity of different water bodies can vary greatly.
Based on their salinity tolerance, organisms can either be euryhaline or stenohaline.
Organisms which can tolerate a wide range of different salinities are known as euryhaline organisms. As the molly fish can survive in freshwater (salinity of 0.5 ppt or less), brackish water (salinity of 0.5 - 30 ppt) as well as in sea water (salinity of 33 - 38 ppt), it is clear that they can tolerate a wide range of different salinities. Thus it can be described as a euryhaline organism. Hence option c is correct.
Figure : Molly fish
Stenohaline organisms are those that can tolerate only a small range of different salinities. E.g., goldfish.
Eurythermal organisms are those that can tolerate a wide range of different temperatures. E.g., humans.
Stenothermal organisms are those that can tolerate a small range of different temperatures. E.g., reptiles, amphibians etc.
Every organism responds when the conditions of temperature, humidity, salinity etc., in its environment changes. Some organisms respond by keeping a steady internal state (regulators) irrespective of the changes outside, some respond by conforming their internal environment to the changes (conformers), while some try to evade an encounter with the unfavourable conditions altogether by moving to a different location or reduce the metabolic activities.
Salinity refers to the amount of salt dissolved in a water body and is measured in parts per thousand (ppt) which is equivalent to the milligrams of salt present in 1 gram of water. Salinity of different water bodies can vary greatly.
Based on their salinity tolerance, organisms can either be euryhaline or stenohaline.
Organisms which can tolerate a wide range of different salinities are known as euryhaline organisms. As the molly fish can survive in freshwater (salinity of 0.5 ppt or less), brackish water (salinity of 0.5 - 30 ppt) as well as in sea water (salinity of 33 - 38 ppt), it is clear that they can tolerate a wide range of different salinities. Thus it can be described as a euryhaline organism. Hence option c is correct.
Figure : Molly fishStenohaline organisms are those that can tolerate only a small range of different salinities. E.g., goldfish.
Eurythermal organisms are those that can tolerate a wide range of different temperatures. E.g., humans.
Stenothermal organisms are those that can tolerate a small range of different temperatures. E.g., reptiles, amphibians etc.
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