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What is the difference between passive and active transport?
Posted January 25, 2021
Answer
The following table outlines the major differences between passive and active transport:
| Passive Transport | Active Transport |
| Molecules move through the cell membrane along the concentration gradient from a region of high concentration to low concentration | Molecules move through the cell membrane against the concentration gradient from a region of low concentration to high concentration. |
| Does not require cellular energy. | Requires cellular energy in the form of ATP. |
| Utilizes carrier proteins. | Does not utilize any carrier proteins. |
| Movement of molecules is bidirectional. | Movement of molecules is unidirectional. |
| Maintains homeostasis between the cytosol and extracellular environment. | Instrumental in the transport (removal and entrance) of large molecules and insoluble molecules. |
| Transports water soluble molecules such as small monosaccharides, lipids, carbon dioxide, oxygen, sex hormones and water | Transports ions, large proteins, complex sugars and cells. |
| Types of passive transport include diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis | Types of active transport include sodium/potassium pumps, endocytosis and exocytosis. |
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