Final answer:
Active transport involves the movement of substances against a concentration gradient, requiring energy usually in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Active transport requires energy because it moves substances across the plasma membrane against a concentration gradient, from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration. This is the opposite direction of passive transport, which occurs naturally along the concentration gradient without the need for cellular energy.
The use of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) allows the cell to perform functions crucial for maintaining homeostasis, such as the sodium-potassium pump and vesicle transport. These active transport processes enable cells to import nutrients and export wastes effectively, even when such actions require moving substances 'uphill' against their natural directional flow.