Final answer:
When the solution inside a cell is hypertonic to the outside solution, water exits the cell through osmosis, causing the cell to shrink and potentially leading to cell damage or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the inside solution of a cell is hypertonic to the solution outside, it means the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell than in the external environment. As a result, water will leave the cell in an attempt to balance the concentration of solutes across the membrane. This process is known as osmosis.
Due to water exiting, the cell will shrivel and shrink, a condition known as crenation in animal cells or plasmolysis in plant cells. In both scenarios, the cell's functionality can be severely impaired and may lead to cell death if the imbalance is not corrected.