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
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2024
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Explain
- Outline
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Saying solute moves by osmosis instead of water.
Recent exam appearances
November 2024Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ11(a)[ 2 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
May 2023Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ21(b)(ii)[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
May 2019Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ14[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
May 2015Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ27[ 1 ]D2.3.2—Water movement
Practice this objective
Coverage 2015–2024 · 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.