Which of the following describes a hypotonic solution?

A hypotonic solution is characterized by having a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, typically the fluid inside a cell. Consequently, when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell to balance the solute concentrations on either side of the cell membrane. This can lead to the cell swelling and potentially bursting if the influx of water is substantial enough.

In contrast, a solution that contains more particles would be considered hypertonic, leading to water moving out of the cell. Similarly, a solution with equal particles would be isotonic, resulting in no net movement of water in or out of the cell. A solution with high osmolarity indicates a greater concentration of solutes, which again implies a hypertonic environment for the cell. Thus, describing a hypotonic solution accurately identifies it as one with less particle concentration compared to the cell's interior.