If placed in tap water, an animal cell will undergo lysis, whereas a plant cell will not. what accounts for this difference? if placed in tap water, an animal cell will undergo lysis, whereas a plant cell will not. what accounts for this difference? the relative impermeability of the plant cell wall to water expulsion of water by the plant cell's central vacuole the relative impermeability of the plant cell membrane to water the relative inelasticity and strength of the plant cell wall