Passive diffusion - Urea has its own concentration gradient so it will go from an area of high concentration through the cell membrane into an area of lower concentration.
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Aquaporins.
Urea is a solute that can cross the cell membrane freely. When red blood cells are in an isosmotic solution of urea, water from the cell will move out due to the urea concentration, causing the cell to shrink and eventually lyse.
Penetrating solutes are molecules that can cross a membrane barrier easily due to their chemical properties, such as size and lipophilicity. Examples include urea, ethanol, and acetone. These solutes can equilibrate across cell membranes rapidly, impacting cell function and osmotic balance.
size and shape. cell membranes are selectively permeable, so only some molecules can get through. (i.e. water can go through, but starch cant) Polarity and size.
Diffusion too.