What does a hypotonic solution do to a cell?

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than the concentration of solutes inside the cell. As a result, water flows into the cell via osmosis, which is the movement of water from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane.

When the cell gains water, it may lead to an increase in cell volume. This influx of water can result in the cell expanding. In extreme cases, if too much water enters, the cell may eventually burst due to the stress on its membrane, but typically, cells have mechanisms to prevent such damage by regulating their internal environment.

Understanding this process is crucial for comprehending how cells interact with their environments and maintain homeostasis. Therefore, the best description of the impact of a hypotonic solution on a cell is that the cell gains water.