What are the differences between active and passive membrane transport?

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Accepted Answer

Membrane transport refers to the transport of molecules across the cell membrane. There are two main types of membrane transport &ndash; active and passive &ndash; with notable differences between the two.

Basis Of Differentiation
Active Membrane Transport
Passive Membrane Transport

Definition
Is the active movement of ions or molecules across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient using ATP (energy)
Is the passive movement of ions or molecules across the cell membrane through the concentration gradient without using ATP (energy)

Energy usage
Uses cellular energy in the form of ATP to transport molecules across the cell membrane
Does not require cellular energy to transport molecules across the cell membrane

Types of molecules transported
Transports all molecules including ions, proteins, complex sugars, and large cells
Transports all soluble molecules including lipids, oxygen, monosaccharides, carbon dioxide, and sex hormones

Type of Process
Rapid, dynamic process
Slow, physical process

Direction of movement
Movement of molecules is unidirectional
Movement of molecules is bidirectional

Circulation
Circulates from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration
Circulates from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration

Role in maintaining/disrupting equilibrium
Disrupts the equilibrium by allowing molecules to pass through the cell membrane
Maintains dynamic equilibrium of water, gasses, nutrients, and waste by passive diffusion between cytosol and extracellular environment

Influencing factors
Influenced by temperature, metabolic inhibitors, and oxygen levels
Not influenced by temperature, metabolic inhibitors, or oxygen levels

Importance
Essential for the entry of large, insoluble molecules into the cell
Maintains the delicate homeostasis between the cytosol and extracellular fluid

Types
Endocytosis, exocytosis, sodium-potassium pump
Diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis

Basis Of Differentiation	Active Membrane Transport	Passive Membrane Transport
Definition	Is the active movement of ions or molecules across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient using ATP (energy)	Is the passive movement of ions or molecules across the cell membrane through the concentration gradient without using ATP (energy)
Energy usage	Uses cellular energy in the form of ATP to transport molecules across the cell membrane	Does not require cellular energy to transport molecules across the cell membrane
Types of molecules transported	Transports all molecules including ions, proteins, complex sugars, and large cells	Transports all soluble molecules including lipids, oxygen, monosaccharides, carbon dioxide, and sex hormones
Type of Process	Rapid, dynamic process	Slow, physical process
Direction of movement	Movement of molecules is unidirectional	Movement of molecules is bidirectional
Circulation	Circulates from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration	Circulates from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
Role in maintaining/disrupting equilibrium	Disrupts the equilibrium by allowing molecules to pass through the cell membrane	Maintains dynamic equilibrium of water, gasses, nutrients, and waste by passive diffusion between cytosol and extracellular environment
Influencing factors	Influenced by temperature, metabolic inhibitors, and oxygen levels	Not influenced by temperature, metabolic inhibitors, or oxygen levels
Importance	Essential for the entry of large, insoluble molecules into the cell	Maintains the delicate homeostasis between the cytosol and extracellular fluid
Types	Endocytosis, exocytosis, sodium-potassium pump	Diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis

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