Paramecium is a single-celled protist that lives in freshwater habitats. In these conditions, Paramecium has evolved strategies to handle the potential consequences of inhabiting this hypotonic environment. One of these strategies could be contractile vacuoles, which expel water forcefully increased aquaporins in its cellular membrane \((\mathrm{C})\) many cilia covering its surface (D) salt receptors on its surface to seek out less concentrated areas.

First, let's understand the characteristics of each of the given options: - Contractile vacuoles: These are specialized structures that play a role in expelling water out of the cell. - Increased aquaporins: Aquaporins are protein channels that facilitate the transport of water molecules across cell membranes. - Many cilia covering its surface: Cilia are hair-like structures that help in the movement and feeding of the Paramecium. - Salt receptors on its surface: These are sensory structures that can detect changes in the salt concentration of the surrounding environment.

Now, let's determine the role of each option in helping Paramecium cope with the consequences of living in a hypotonic environment: - Contractile vacuoles: As water enters the cell, the presence of contractile vacuoles can help in expelling the excess water, thus maintaining the cell's shape and preventing it from bursting. - Increased aquaporins: Although increasing aquaporins may enhance water transport, this will not be adaptive in a hypotonic environment, as the cells are already at risk of taking up too much water and bursting. - Many cilia covering its surface: The presence of many cilia may aid in the Paramecium's movement and feeding; however, it does not directly address the problem of living in a hypotonic environment. - Salt receptors on its surface: The ability to sense salt concentrations and seek out areas with lower salt concentrations may be helpful; however, it is not a direct mechanism to handle excess water intake in a hypotonic environment.

Based on our evaluation of each option, the most suitable strategy for a Paramecium to handle the potential consequences of living in a hypotonic environment is having contractile vacuoles. This is because contractile vacuoles directly address the problem of excess water intake by expelling water out of the cell, thus preventing the cell from swelling and bursting.