If a fish adapted to saltwater is placed in freshwater, which of the following will happen?

If a fish that is adapted to saltwater is placed in freshwater, it will likely experience osmotic shock. This is because the concentration of salt in its body is higher than in the freshwater environment.

Here are the steps that explain this process:

1. Fish maintain a balance of salt and water in their bodies to survive. Saltwater fish are adapted to environments with high salt concentration. They have kidneys that work to eliminate excess salt from their bodies and gills that absorb ions from the water.

2. When a saltwater fish is placed in freshwater, the concentration of salt inside the fish is higher than in the surrounding water. This creates a concentration gradient.

3. Due to osmosis, water will move from an area of lower concentration (the freshwater) to an area of higher concentration (inside the fish) to try and balance out the difference.

4. This influx of water causes the fish's cells to swell as they fill with water. This is known as osmotic shock.

5. If the fish cannot adapt quickly enough to this change in its environment, it can lead to cell damage, organ failure, and ultimately, the fish's death.

So, in conclusion, a saltwater fish placed in freshwater will likely not survive due to osmotic shock.