Final answer:
Facilitated diffusion is a passive transport process that uses carrier proteins to move substances along their concentration gradient without consuming ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of facilitated diffusion include being a passive transport process that is powered by thermal energy and uses a carrier protein to move substances across the cell membrane. This process does not require energy in the form of ATP, meaning it does not consume cellular energy. Instead, molecules move down their concentration gradient through specific protein channels. Unlike active transport, which requires ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient, facilitated diffusion moves substances along the concentration gradient without using ATP.