What occurs to a red blood cell placed in a hypotonic solution?

When a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, it experiences osmotic pressure that causes water to move into the cell. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, which means that water flows into the cell in an attempt to equalize the solute concentration on both sides of the cell membrane.

As water enters, the volume of the red blood cell increases, and it may eventually exceed the membrane's capacity to contain it. If too much water enters the cell, it can lead to osmotic lysis, where the cell bursts due to the excessive internal pressure. This phenomenon is particularly relevant for red blood cells, as they lack a rigid cell wall that would otherwise prevent such lysis from occurring.

This behavior illustrates the principles of osmosis and the effects of different solutions on cells, especially in relation to their surrounding environments.