How do marine organisms typically cope with excess salt?

Marine organisms often face the challenge of high salt concentrations in their environment, which can pose a risk of dehydration. One effective adaptation is the ability to excrete excess salt through specialized glands. Many marine animals, such as fish and some reptiles, have developed these glands to actively remove the surplus salt from their bodies, allowing them to maintain osmotic balance and survive in saline conditions.

The excretion process often occurs in conjunction with the absorption of water, helping these organisms to remain hydrated while managing salt levels. This ability to process and eliminate excess salt is crucial for their survival in oceanic environments.

The alternative strategies, such as drinking large amounts of freshwater, do not apply to most marine organisms since they typically do not have the option to consume freshwater in their saline habitats. Likewise, migrating to freshwater environments is not feasible for many marine species, especially those that are highly adapted to their specific saltwater ecosystems. Absorbing salt into their tissues would be detrimental, leading to further physiological stress and potential harm. Therefore, the mechanism of using specialized glands to excrete excess salt is the most effective and common adaptation.