Question

When a jellyfish is removed from its saltwater environment and put into freshwater, it swells and bursts. Why does a jellyfish burst in that environment?

Answer 1

Freshwater is hypotonic compared to the body of jelly fish. Hence there is ENDOSMOSIS, swelling and bursting of the organism adjusted to a life in salt water, which is isotonic for the organism.

Explanation:

Salt water jelly fish has same amount of solute in its cells as compared to sea water. In other words we can say that sea water is isotonic for jelly fish, hence water is neither lost nor gained by the organism in saline water of sea.

The fundamental principle of osmosis says when a living animal cell is kept in fresh water, there will be net movement of water inside the cell leading to swelling and eventual bursting of the cell.