What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than that inside the cell, leading to a net movement of water into the cell through osmosis. As water enters the cell, it causes the cell to swell. If the influx of water continues and the cell cannot adequately accommodate the volume increase, it may eventually burst, a process known as lysis. This behavior is particularly relevant for animal cells, which lack a rigid cell wall that would otherwise prevent excessive swelling. In terms of plant cells, while they also swell, the presence of the cell wall provides some structural support and prevents bursting, resulting instead in turgidity.