What is the result of a cell being placed in a hypotonic solution?

When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. This gradient causes water to move into the cell through osmosis, which is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane toward the area of higher solute concentration. As water continues to enter the cell, the internal pressure increases, leading to swelling. If enough water enters the cell, it can cause the cell to swell to the point of bursting, a phenomenon known as lysis.

This process is particularly relevant in animal cells, which do not possess a rigid cell wall to provide structural support against the increase in volume. In contrast, plant cells, which have a cell wall, will also swell in a hypotonic solution but typically do not burst due to the strength of their cell wall, instead becoming turgid. Therefore, the result of the cell being placed in a hypotonic solution is that it will swell and may burst.