Should the contractile vacuole of a paramecium be ACTIVE when the paramecium is in a hypotonic environment?

To determine whether the contractile vacuole of a paramecium should be active in a hypotonic environment, let's understand the function of the contractile vacuole and the characteristics of a hypotonic environment.

The contractile vacuole in a paramecium is responsible for maintaining internal osmotic balance by expelling excess water from the cell. This prevents the paramecium from bursting or lysing due to the intake of water by osmosis.

Now, in a hypotonic environment, the concentration of solutes outside the paramecium's cell is lower than the concentration inside the cell. As a result, water tends to enter the cell through osmosis, potentially causing the cell to swell and burst.

To counteract this influx of water and maintain osmotic balance, the contractile vacuole should be actively functioning in a hypotonic environment. It will contract and expel the excess water that has diffused into the cell, helping to prevent the cell from bursting.

Therefore, to answer the question, YES, the contractile vacuole of a paramecium should be active when it is in a hypotonic environment to maintain osmotic balance and prevent cell damage.