Final answer:
The process where glucose is moved into a cell against its concentration gradient with the aid of Na+ ions moving down their gradient, due to secondary active transport, is known as a symport mechanism, and it requires energy, usually from ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process described in the question refers to secondary active transport, and more specifically, it sounds like a symport mechanism. Secondary active transport is a type of active transport where the movement of one molecule against its concentration gradient is coupled with the movement of another molecule down its concentration gradient. In the example given, glucose is moved into cells against its concentration gradient with the help of sodium ions (Na+) moving down their electrochemical gradient, facilitated by a symport protein on the cell membrane.
Active transport requires energy, typically in the form of ATP, to move molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, which is against the natural tendency of molecules to move towards equilibrium. In the case of glucose and Na+ in secondary active transport, ATP is spent to maintain the sodium gradient by pumping Na+ out of the cell, creating the conditions needed for the Na+/glucose symporter to function.