SLCC Physiology Exam 1 Practice

When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell because the concentration of solutes inside the cell is higher than that in the surrounding solution. This influx of water causes the cell to swell. If the influx is significant, it can lead to the cell bursting, a phenomenon known as osmotic lysis.

In a hypotonic environment, the osmotic pressure causes a net movement of water into the cell until equilibrium is reached or the cell membrane cannot withstand the internal pressure any longer. This is particularly relevant for cells that lack a rigid cell wall, such as animal cells, which can easily rupture under such conditions.