If a Cell Were Placed in a Hypotonic Solution

Question

If a cell were placed in a hypotonic solution:
A)there would be a net gain of water into the cell.
B)there would be a net loss of water out of the cell.
C)no water would move into or out of the cell.
D)water would move into and out of the cell in equal amounts.

Accepted Answer

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside of the cell is lower than inside the cell. This means that water will move from an area of higher concentration (outside the cell) to an area of lower concentration (inside the cell). This results in a net gain of water into the cell, causing it to swell or even burst in extreme cases.