A paramecium is a single-celled, freshwater protist that lacks a cell wall but contains a contractile vacuole. The contractile vacuole is surrounded by rings of proteins that can contract when the vacuole is filled with water, expelling the water from the paramecium. What would happen to a paramecium placed into a freshwater aquarium that has been treated with a chemical that disrupts the function of the contractile vacuole?
A) The paramecium will balance its water levels with exocytosis of water droplets through its membrane.
B) The paramecium will expel sodium ions from its cytoplasm to allow less water to enter through its membrane.
C) The paramecium will lose water to the environment without the ability to regulate its water levels, resulting in cell death.
D) The paramecium will gain water in the hypotonic environment and will be unable to regulate its water levels, resulting in lysis.
