If a red blood cell is placed in a HYPOTONIC solution, what will most likely happen to the cell? a water moves into the cell causing it to burst. b salt moves into the cell causing it to burst. c water moves out of the cell causing it to shrink. d salt moves out of the cell causing it to shrink

Answer 1

If a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, a. water moves into the cell causing it to burst is the correct answer.

In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside the cell, leading to water entering the cell in an attempt to equalize the concentration. This influx of water can cause the cell to swell and potentially burst, a process known as lysis.