Difference Between Active And Passive Transport

Active transport is a type of cellular transport process that requires energy to move molecules across a cell membrane. This is in contrast to passive transport, which does not require energy and instead relies on the kinetic energy of the molecules to move them across the membrane.

Active transport is used to move molecules against the concentration gradient, while passive transport moves molecules with the concentration gradient. Active transport is powered by the hydrolysis of ATP, while passive transport does not require energy. Active transport processes can move molecules in either direction across the membrane, while passive transport is unidirectional.

Active transport is usually used to move molecules that cannot move through the membrane by passive transport. Examples of molecules moved by active transport include ions, nutrients, and waste products. Active transport is important for maintaining the concentration gradient of certain molecules in the cell.

Passive transport, on the other hand, does not require energy and instead relies on the kinetic energy of the molecules to move them across the membrane. Examples of molecules moved by passive transport include gases, water, and lipids. Passive transport does not require energy and is usually used to move molecules with the concentration gradient.

In summary, active transport requires energy and is used to move molecules against the concentration gradient, while passive transport does not require energy and is used to move molecules with the concentration gradient.