Final answer:
In a hypotonic solution, water moves into a cell because the solute concentration outside is lower than inside, leading to cell swelling. This is opposite to what happens in a hypertonic solution where water exits the cell, causing it to shrink.
Step-by-step explanation:
Salt particles moving out of a cell and water moving into a cell placed in a certain type of solution is an example of the effects of the osmotic environment on cells. When salt particles move out of a cell and water moves into it, this scenario describes a cell being in a hypotonic solution. In hypotonic solutions, the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside the cell, which causes water to move into the cell by osmosis, potentially leading the cell to swell and even lyse due to the influx of water. This stands in contrast to a hypertonic solution, where the solute concentration outside the cell is higher, leading to water moving out of the cell, causing it to shrink. An isotonic solution is where the solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net water movement.