When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it will undergo a process called osmosis, which is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes is lower outside the cell than inside. This difference in concentration causes water to flow into the cell to balance the solute concentrations.
As water enters the cell, it causes the cell to swell. If enough water continues to flow in, the cell may eventually burst in a process called lysis. This is particularly evident in animal cells, which do not have a cell wall to provide structural support. In contrast, plant cells also swell when placed in a hypotonic solution, but they have a cell wall that helps them maintain their shape and prevents bursting. Instead, the plant cells become turgid, which is a desirable state for them as it helps maintain the plant’s structure.