What does hypotonic mean in terms of solute concentration?

Hypotonic refers to a solution that has a lower concentration of solute relative to another solution, typically in comparison to the interior of a cell. In this context, the presence of less solute means there is a relatively higher concentration of water compared to the solute. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic environment, water moves into the cell through osmosis, as water naturally moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This influx can cause the cell to swell and potentially lead to bursting if the pressure becomes too great.

Understanding this concept is crucial in biology, particularly in cellular processes, as it illustrates the effects of osmotic pressure on cell health and function. In contrast, equal water and solute concentrations pertain to isotonic solutions, while higher solute concentrations refer to hypertonic solutions, which draw water out of cells and lead to cell shrinkage.