A necropsy (postmortem analysis) of a marine sea star that died after it was mistakenly placed in fresh water would likely show that it died because
A) its contractile vacuoles ruptured.
B) the sea star's kidneys could not handle the change in ionic content presented by the fresh water.
C) it was so hyperosmotic to the fresh water that it could not osmoregulate.
D) its cells dehydrated and lost the ability to metabolize.
E) it was stressed and needed more time to acclimate to the new conditions.
Answer: C