* Water moves into the cell: Due to the concentration difference, water will move across the cell membrane from the area of high concentration (outside the cell) to the area of low concentration (inside the cell). This movement is driven by osmosis, the diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane.
* Cell swells: As water enters the cell, the cell swells up. The pressure inside the cell increases, pushing against the cell membrane.
* Potential for bursting: If the water influx is too significant, the cell membrane might not be able to withstand the pressure and could burst. This is particularly true for animal cells which lack a rigid cell wall. Plant cells, however, have a rigid cell wall that helps prevent bursting and instead allows for turgor pressure.
In summary, when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell. This can be beneficial for plant cells, but can lead to bursting in animal cells.
