Answer to Question #112360 in Cell Biology for MAKHUOGA ALFRED FRIDAY

Question

Summarise the manner in which small molecules are permitted to pass through the membrane ensuring you explain the difference between passive, facilitated, active, and coupled transport by comparing and contrasting them.

Answer 1

The main difference between active and passive  is the use of energy during cell transport of materials.Passive transport on the other hand, is the movement of molecules from higher to lower concentration. Because material is moving with the gradient, energy is not required.Passive transport moves across a concentration gradient, or a gradual difference in solute concentration between two areas. Facilitated diffusion is diffusion using carrier or channel proteins in the cell membrane that assist in the movement of molecules across a concentration gradient.Passive transport doesn't require energy (ATP), active transport does require energy. Passive transport moves molecules with the concentration gradient (high to low), while active transport moves molecules against the concentration gradient (Low to High).