Which of the following best describes what happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution? Which of the following best describes what happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution? Plant cells swell and burst; animal cell membranes swell and push against the cell wall. Animal cells swell and burst; plant cell membranes swell and push against the cell wall. Plant cells shrink; animal cell membranes pull away from the cell wall. Animal cells shrink; plant cell membranes pull away from the cell wall.