Question

What distinguishes active transport from passive transport

Answer 1

It's very simple - when material moves across a cell membrane without using cell energy, it's called passive transport. Molecules move along a concentration gradient from high to low concentrations.

Few of the examples are osmosis and diffusion

Now, when material moves across cell membrane with the use of cell energy, it's called active transport. Molecules move against a concentration gradient. Some of the examples are Sodium potassium pump and Proton pump.