What happens to a cell 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 difference in solute concentration creates an osmotic gradient, leading to water moving into the cell through osmosis. As water enters the cell, it causes the cell to swell. If too much water enters, the internal pressure may exceed the structural limits of the cell membrane, potentially causing the cell to burst, a process known as lysis. Thus, it is accurate to say that the cell gains water and may burst when placed in a hypotonic solution. This scenario highlights the importance of osmotic balance in cellular environments, demonstrating how cells interact with their surroundings based on solute concentrations.