Question

A Cell may swell up and even burst if ?

Answer 1

An animal cell may swell up and even burst if it is placed in hypotonic solution. A hypotonic solution is the solution in which the concentration of solute outside the cell is lower than the concentration of the solute inside the cell. Therefore, water from the outside will flow into the cell, and keep flowing in. This process continues till bursting of the cell.

However, plant cells do not get burst in hypotonic solution due to the presence of cell wall. The major function of cell wall is to provide rigidity and strength to the cell. The plant cell swells in hypotonic solution and the plasma membrane are pushed against cell wall. Such cell is said to be turgid and it does not get burst.