D2.3.2—Water movement
Water moves by osmosis through partially permeable membranes from lower solute concentration toward higher solute concentration in cells and biological systems.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D2.3.2
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2021
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1
Common command terms
- Explain
- Outline
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Saying solute moves by osmosis instead of water.
Recent exam appearances
May 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ13[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
May 2018Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ132[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
November 2016Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ032[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
Practice this objective
Coverage 2016–2021 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Osmosis requires a partially permeable membrane.
- Water moves toward the side with higher solute concentration.
- A solute concentration difference or osmolarity gradient is required.
- Root water uptake can occur by osmosis.