Final answer:
Passive transport does not require energy and occurs when substances move naturally from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. On the other hand, active transport requires energy and moves molecules against their concentration gradient. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the form of energy used in active transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
Passive transport and active transport are the two basic ways that substances can cross a cell's plasma membrane. Passive transport does not require energy and occurs when substances move naturally from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. On the other hand, active transport requires energy and moves molecules against their concentration gradient, from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration.
Transporting heavy objects also requires energy. In the case of moving something against a concentration gradient, the cell uses active transport, which requires the input of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) produced by cellular respiration. Active transport pumps molecules and ions across membranes against their concentration gradient, and typically involves the use of protein carriers.