Question

Which of the following is a difference between active transport and facilitated diffusion?

A) Both require energy
B) Active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient
C) Facilitated diffusion is a form of bulk transport
D) Both rely on channel

Answer 1

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, while facilitated diffusion does not require energy, moving substances down their gradient through carrier proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between active transport and facilitated diffusion is that active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP, while facilitated diffusion moves substances down the concentration gradient without the need for additional energy. Active transport is necessary when cells need to move substances from areas of lower concentration to higher concentration, as seen with the sodium-potassium pump which actively transports sodium out of cells and potassium into cells against their respective concentration gradients. In contrast, facilitated diffusion involves the passive movement of substances across the cell membrane through specific carrier proteins, allowing for faster transport compared to simple diffusion without using cellular energy.