Question

Are exocytosis and endocytosis examples of active or passive transport? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Exocytosis and endocytosis are examples of active transport because they require energy to move substances in or out of the cell against their concentration gradient. Vesicles play a role in these processes but are not a direct part of passive transport. The sodium-potassium pump is an archetypal example of active transport.

Step-by-step explanation:

Exocytosis and endocytosis are examples of active transport. During exocytosis, vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release contents outside the cell. This process requires energy because it involves the transport of substances against their concentration gradient or the movement of large particles. Similarly, endocytosis, which includes forms such as phagocytosis and pinocytosis, is the process where a cell engulfs external substances, requiring energy to alter the cell membrane and to transport the substances into the cell.

It's important to note that vesicles are typically not involved in passive transport directly. While vesicles can be involved in moving substances within or into and out of cells, passive transport refers to the diffusion or facilitated diffusion processes that do not require cellular energy. Instead, substances move along their concentration gradient.

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 respective concentration gradients, using ATP as an energy source.

Answer 2

Exocytosis describes the process of vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane and releasing their contents to the outside of the cell. Both endocytosis and exocytosis are active transport processes.