In a hypotonic solution, what happens to an animal cell?

In a hypotonic solution, what happens to an animal cell?

• A. Water leaves cell
• B. Water enters cell and cell swells
• C. No movement
• D. Cell membrane ruptures immediately

Answer: (B)

When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the outside has fewer solutes (higher water potential) than the inside. Water moves across the membrane into the cell by osmosis to balance the concentrations. Because animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, the incoming water makes the cell swell as it expands. In many cases this swelling is enough to risk bursting if the influx continues, but the immediate and typical outcome is that water enters and the cell swells.

When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the outside has fewer solutes (higher water potential) than the inside. Water moves across the membrane into the cell by osmosis to balance the concentrations. Because animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, the incoming water makes the cell swell as it expands. In many cases this swelling is enough to risk bursting if the influx continues, but the immediate and typical outcome is that water enters and the cell swells.