Question

Compare and contrast passive and active transport forms, using examples of what is being transported and the requirements for each

Answer 1

Passive and active transport differ from each other in the fact that the active transport requires energy and work, passive transport is a simple movement of molecules along their concentration gradient through diffusion or osmosis and it does not require energy. Thus active transport can take place against the concentration gradient as well by the expenditure of energy while passive cannot. Active transport requires carrier proteins while passive does not. An example is the use of NaK ATPase for transport of sodium and potassium ions in the cell with the hydrolysis of ATP and the example of the passive transport simple osmosis of water in and out of the cell.