Final answer:
Cells in a hypotonic environment tend to swell as water moves into the cell to balance solute concentrations. Animal cells can burst from this influx, while plant cells become turgid but typically don't burst due to their cell walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a hypotonic environment, cells will swell due to the net intake of water. This happens because the external environment contains a lower concentration of solutes compared to the interior of the cell, leading to water moving into the cell to establish equilibrium. For cells without rigid cell walls, such as animal cells, this can cause them to swell and potentially lyse (burst). On the other hand, plant cells and other organisms with cell walls may also swell but are typically protected from bursting by their rigid cell walls. In these cases, the cell becomes turgid, which is often beneficial for the plant as it provides structural support.