In what type of environment do cells risk bursting due to excess water?

Cells are at risk of bursting due to excess water in a hypotonic environment. In this scenario, the external solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell. As a result, water moves into the cell to equalize the solute concentration on both sides of the cell membrane. This influx of water can lead to an increase in intracellular pressure, and if it exceeds the strength of the cell membrane, it can cause the cell to swell and ultimately burst, or lyse.

In contrast, in a hypertonic environment, the external solution has a higher concentration of solutes, which causes water to move out of the cell, leading to cell shrinkage rather than bursting. An isotonic environment is one where the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, allowing for no net movement of water and maintaining cell size. Nonpolar environments do not significantly influence water movement, as they are not based on solute concentration differences but rather on the lipid properties of the membranes involved. Thus, the risk of bursting is specifically associated with hypotonic conditions.