If the solute concentration outside the paramecium were made the same as that inside it, the paramecium would experience a state of equilibrium. This means that there would be no net movement of water into or out of the cell through osmosis.
Paramecia are single-celled organisms that live in freshwater environments, often in hypotonic conditions where the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than that inside. Due to this difference in concentration, water tends to flow into the cell, causing it to swell. However, paramecia have a specialized structure called a contractile vacuole that helps expel excess water to prevent bursting.
In isotonic conditions—where the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell—there is no osmotic pressure driving water into or out of the paramecium. Consequently, the contractile vacuole would become less active, and the overall water balance within the cell would stabilize. This could lead to a more energy-efficient state for the paramecium, as it would not need to expend energy regulating water levels as actively.
In summary, equal solute concentrations on both sides of the paramecium’s cell membrane would result in a balanced internal and external environment, promoting stability and reducing the need for the organism to adapt energetically to changing osmotic conditions.