Final answer:
A plant cell's rigid cell wall protects it from bursting in a hypotonic environment by withstanding osmotic pressure, an advantage animal cells lack.
Step-by-step explanation:
The advantage a plant cell would have over an animal cell if both were placed in pure water is the presence of a cell wall in plant cells. When both plant and animal cells are placed in pure water, a condition known as hypotonic environment, water tends to enter the cells by osmosis due to differences in solute concentrations.
However, the plant cell's rigid cell wall provides strength and protection, allowing the cell to withstand the pressure generated by the water influx without bursting. This pressure eventually reaches a dynamic equilibrium, preventing further water entry and potential cell damage. Conversely, animal cells lack this protective structure and are therefore much more susceptible to bursting due to the lack of support against the osmotic pressure.