Final answer:
A red blood cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell and may burst due to the excess water flowing into the cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
A red blood cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell due to the higher concentration of solutes inside the cell compared to the solution. The hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes, causing water to flow into the cell, leading to swelling. Eventually, the cell may burst due to the excessive influx of water, a process called hemolysis.