Question

What is a major difference between facilitated diffusion and active transport?

Question 3 options:

Active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient.

Active transport uses proteins in the process.

Facilitated diffusion moves molecules through the plasma membrane.

Facilitated diffusion requires large amounts of energy.

Answer 1

Active transport requires ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient, while facilitated diffusion uses specific proteins to move substances along the concentration gradient without requiring energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

A major difference between facilitated diffusion and active transport is that active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient and requires energy, usually in the form of ATP, whereas facilitated diffusion moves molecules along the concentration gradient and does not require cellular energy.

Facilitated diffusion uses proteins such as channels and carriers to allow specific molecules to pass through the plasma membrane based on the concentration gradient, and it is considered a passive form of transport. In contrast, active transport is a process where cells use ATP to drive the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, through membrane proteins known as pumps.

Answer 2

The correct answer is Active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient.

Step-by-step explanation:

The principle difference between active transport and facilitated diffusion is that active transport helps in the movement of various substances in the uphill direction which means against the concentration gradient.

In simple words active transport helps in the movement of substance from the region of low concentration to a region of high concentration.

On the other hand during facilitated diffusion substances move along their concentration gradient which means from the high concentration region to the region of low concentration until the concentration of both sides become same.