Final answer:
Diffusion helps in maintaining homeostasis by allowing passive balancing of substance concentrations, whereas active transport directly uses energy to maintain balance and is also essential for homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cell transport mechanisms like diffusion impact homeostasis primarily by contributing to maintaining a stable internal environment. This is because homeostasis involves balancing various factors inside a cell or an organism to create a stable state despite external changes. Diffusion allows cells to passively balance concentrations of substances, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, by permitting these molecules to move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration without the expenditure of energy, thus contributing to homeostasis. In contrast, active transport mechanisms require energy, usually in the form of ATP, to move substances against a concentration gradient, which is also vital for homeostasis.