If a hole is torn in a cell's plasma membrane, the cell will die because if a hole is torn in a cell's plasma membrane, the cell will die because cells can only make more plasma membrane during cell division. it will not be able to undergo cell division. it will not be able to maintain differences between the cytoplasm and extracellular fluid. its chromosomes will not be held in place. germs are attracted toward cytoplasm leaking from a cell.