Final answer:
Primary active transport is a cellular process that relies directly on the hydrolysis of ATP to move substances across membranes, creating electrochemical gradients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primary active transport is a cellular mechanism in which ions are moved across a membrane, creating a difference in charge across that membrane. This process is directly dependent on ATP, which is hydrolyzed into ADP and inorganic phosphate.
The hydrolysis of ATP releases energy that is used to fuel this type of transport, enabling the cell to move substances against their concentration gradients.
Conversely, secondary active transport does not directly use ATP. Instead, it relies on the electrochemical gradient established by primary active transport.
For secondary active transport to occur, primary active transport must happen first. Using the stored energy of the electrochemical gradient, substances such as amino acids and glucose can be transported into the cell against their respective concentration gradients.
It is crucial to clarify that while secondary active transport does not directly use ATP, it is still an active process that requires energy derived from the primary active transport system.