What does fixation prevent in cells within a hypotonic solution?

In a hypotonic solution, cells tend to gain water due to the lower concentration of solutes outside the cell compared to the inside, which can lead to osmotic swelling. Fixation prevents osmotic swelling by stabilizing the cell structure and preventing the influx of water that would otherwise occur in such conditions. This process involves treating the cells with chemical fixatives that cross-link proteins and preserve cellular morphology, which is particularly important for maintaining the integrity of the cells when they are exposed to changing osmotic conditions.

The other options do not align with the role of fixation in this context. For example, desiccation refers to the drying out of cells, which is not a concern in a hypotonic solution where water influx is the primary issue. Cell division is unrelated to fixation in the context of osmotic balance, as fixation primarily addresses structural preservation rather than cellular processes like division. Osmotic shrinkage, on the other hand, is associated with hypertonic solutions where cells lose water, contrasting with the swelling that occurs in hypotonic conditions. Therefore, fixation plays a crucial role in preventing osmotic swelling in cells exposed to a hypotonic environment.