What best describes a hypotonic solution?

A hypotonic solution is characterized by having a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic environment, water from the surrounding solution moves into the cell through osmosis in an attempt to equalize the solute concentrations inside and outside the cell. This influx of water causes the cell to swell as it takes on more water, and if the situation is extreme, the cell can eventually burst due to the increased internal pressure. This phenomenon is especially relevant for animal cells, which do not have rigid cell walls to provide structural support against the osmotic pressure. Thus, the correct description of a hypotonic solution is that the cell swells or bursts due to the excess water intake.