There are two types of cell transport: Active Transport and Passive Transport. The active transport uses energy for the transferring of the substance from outside the cell to inside the cell (sometimes vise versa). The passive transport does not spend energy to transport substances through the cell membrane.
Active transport moves larger molecules and charged molecules while passive transport moves smaller charged molecules and non-polar molecules (except water).
Examples of active transport are the pump transport (Sodium-Potassium Pump) and Vesicle Transport (Exocytosis and Endocytosis). Examples of passive transport are simple diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion.
Specific examples:
> Molecular pump = Sodium-Potassium Pump = The sodium-potassium pump uses carrier protein to exchange the sodium and potassium across the cell membrane. This pump regulates the concentration gradient inside the cell.
> Exocytosis = elimination of waste products (like carbon dioxide and nitrogenous compounds) out of the cell = The cell makes a secretory vesicle that infuses with the cell membrane and then, expels the waste products outside of the cell.
>Endocytosis = Phagocytosis = Phagocytosis is an example of endocytosis that engulfs larger substances by forming vesicles.
>Simple Diffusion = transfer of oxygen = Oxygen freely diffuses across the cell membrane. It is observed very closely in the air sacs of the lungs.
>Osmosis = transfer of water in and out of the cell = Water is a partially charged molecule and it can pass through the hydrophobic parts of the cell membrane because of its small size.
>Facilitated diffusion = Glucose transport = Glucose is a large molecule and is carried into the cell by the glucose transporters. Sometimes, the transport of glucose is paired with another molecule.