A cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell due to the movement of water into the cell. Alternatively, if a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the cell will shrink due to the movement of water outside the cell through osmosis. The difference between a hypotonic solution and a hypertonic solution is tabulated below:
| Hypotonic solution | Hypertonic solution |
| Solution is hypotonic to the cell if the solute concentration outside the cell is lower compared to inside the cell. | Solution is hypertonic to the cell if the concentration of solutes is higher compared to inside the cell. |
| As a result of flow of water into cell, the cell gains volume and swells. | As a result of flow of water out of the cell, the cell loses volume and shrinks. |
| A plant cell becomes turgid when putting in a hypotonic solution. | A plant cell undergoes plasmolysis in a hypertonic solution. |
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A solution whose concentration is more than the cell sap or that inside a cell
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