What is the outcome when a cell is 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. Because of this difference, water moves into the cell by osmosis in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes on both sides of the cell membrane.

As water enters the cell, it causes the cell to swell due to the increased internal pressure. If the influx of water continues and the cell cannot accommodate the additional volume, the cell may burst—a process known as lysis. This is particularly common in animal cells, which do not have a rigid cell wall to withstand the increasing pressure from within. In plant cells, while they swell and become turgid (which is generally healthy for plant function), the rigid cell wall provides structural support that prevents bursting.

Thus, the correct outcome for a cell in a hypotonic solution is that it swells and may burst.