Paramecium is a single-celled eukaryote that lives in fresh water. These organisms have one or more membrane-bound organelles called contractile vacuoles. These organelles allow the paramecium to expel excess water from the cytoplasm, which prevents the cells from bursting. Integral membrane proteins in the contractile vacuole membrane move hydrogen ions from the cytoplasm into the space inside the contractive vacuole. The movement of hydrogen ions into the vacuole by these integral membrane proteins requires ATP. Why does water move into the cytoplasm of the paramecium?

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