If we look at hypotonic meaning: Hypo means less, and tonic means strength. This term hypotonic refers to a solution which has less concentration of solvent as compared to a solute. Pure water is an example of a hypotonic solution as the solvent concentration (water) is higher than the solute (impurities). If a red blood cell is placed in the hypotonic solution, then it will be filled up with this solution, as red blood cells do not have any cell wall. The solution starts to fill up and produce a high pressure which can cause the bursting of the red blood cells. And when a plant cell is placed under the hypotonic solution, the central part of the vacuole of the plant takes up all the additional water and tugs the cell membrane against the cell wall. But due to the rigid nature of the cell, it drags back and reduces the risk of bursting.