Final answer:
An animal cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell, as the water moves into the cell due to the surrounding solution having a lower solute concentration. This can lead to the cell becoming swollen and potentially bursting. Animal cells prefer an isotonic environment where the net movement of water is balanced.
Step-by-step explanation:
An animal cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell due to water influx. In a hypotonic environment, water particles move into the cell because the outside solution has a lower solute concentration compared to the internal environment of the cell. The net movement of water into the cell can cause the cell to expand and potentially lyse (burst) if the water intake is excessive.
Osmotic balance is critical for cells. Animal cells generally do best in an isotonic environment where they retain their normal shape because the water movement into and out of the cell is balanced. However, in a hypertonic solution, the situation is reversed, and the cell will lose water and possibly shrink or shrivel up. In contrast, plant cells have a cell wall that can counteract osmotic pressure and prevent lysis in a hypotonic solution, becoming turgid instead.