Passive and Active Transport

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What is Passive Transport?

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Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy. It relies on the concentration gradient, moving substances from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration.

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What is Active Transport?

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Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane that requires energy, usually in the form of ATP. It moves substances against their concentration gradient, from areas of lower concentration to areas of higher concentration.

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What is Diffusion?

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Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

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What is Osmosis?

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Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

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What is Equilibrium in the context of transport?

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Equilibrium is the state reached when the concentration of a substance is equal throughout a space, meaning there is no net movement of molecules.

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What is Facilitated Diffusion?

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Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses protein channels to help move substances across the cell membrane without energy.

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What is a Selectively Permeable Membrane?

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A selectively permeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others, crucial for maintaining homeostasis in cells.

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What is an example of Active Transport?

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An example of active transport is the sodium-potassium pump, which moves sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients.

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What role do protein channels play in transport?

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Protein channels facilitate the movement of specific molecules across the cell membrane, either through facilitated diffusion (passive) or active transport.

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What is the difference between Passive and Active Transport?

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The main difference is that passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport requires energy and moves substances against their concentration gradient.