Sharks live in seawater. Their tissues are isotonic to seawater, but their concentrations of sodium ions, potassium ions, and chloride ions in cells and extracellular fluids are similar to those of freshwater fishes. How is that possible?
A) Urea and trimethylamine oxide contribute to intra- and extracellular osmolarity in shark tissues.
B) Metabolic intermediates of sharks tie up intracellular chloride and potassium ions.
C) Their blood is hypotonic to their tissues.
D) They excrete large quantities of electrolytes.
Answer: A