# A red blood cell is placed into a solution that has a lower water concentration than the cytoplasm of the cell. Explain what happens to the red blood cell.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.2.3 Transport Across Membranes · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Water moves out of the red blood cell
2. By osmosis
3. Water moves from an area of higher water concentration (inside the cell) to an area of lower water concentration (in the surrounding solution)
4. Water moves through the partially permeable membrane
5. The red blood cell shrinks / crenates / decreases in size

## Key terms

- [water concentration](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/water-concentration)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-red-blood-cell-is-placed-f9368572) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.