A hypotonic solution is a type of solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, typically inside a cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell through osmosis, causing the cell to swell. If too much water enters, the cell may eventually burst, a process known as lysis. Hypotonic solutions are important in biological contexts, such as in the treatment of dehydration. For example, saline solutions used in medical settings can be hypotonic, helping to restore fluid balance in patients. Understanding hypotonic solutions is crucial in fields like cell biology and medicine.