Answer: In a hypotonic solution, the solute concentration is lower than inside the cell. If the water continues to move into the cell, it can stretch the cell membrane to the point the cell bursts (lyses) and dies.
A cell that is placed in a hypotonic saline solution will swell and eventually burst because water will flow into it.
TONICITY OF A SOLUTION:
A solution can either be hypertonic, hypotonic or isotonic depending on the concentration of solute in it.
A hypotonic solution is a solution that contains less concentration of solute in comparison with a another solution. Less concentration of solute means more water concentration.
According to osmosis, water moves from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
This means that a cell placed in a hypotonic saline solution will cause water to flow into the cell, hence, making it swell and eventually burst.
