Question
8. Is facilitated diffusion passive or active transport?
Ask by Vaughn Marshall. in the United States
Jan 09,2025
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Answer
Facilitated diffusion is passive transport because it moves substances down their concentration gradient without requiring energy.
Solution
Facilitated diffusion is **passive transport**.
**Explanation:**
- **Passive Transport:** This type of transport does not require the cell to expend energy (ATP). Instead, substances move down their concentration gradient, from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration.
- **Facilitated Diffusion:** It specifically refers to the movement of molecules across the cell membrane through **transport proteins** (such as channels or carriers). This method is used for substances that cannot easily diffuse through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane on their own, like glucose or ions.
Since facilitated diffusion relies on the existing concentration gradient and does not require additional energy input, it is classified as passive transport.
**Key Points:**
- No energy (ATP) required.
- Moves substances down their concentration gradient.
- Utilizes specific transport proteins to aid movement.
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Simplify this solution Mind Expander
Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport, meaning it doesn't require energy to move substances across cell membranes. Instead, it relies on the natural tendency of molecules to move from areas of high concentration to low concentration, utilizing specific proteins to assist this movement. In the real world, facilitated diffusion plays a crucial role in biological systems, like in the transport of glucose into cells. Special channel or carrier proteins help glucose molecules pass through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, ensuring that our cells receive the energy they need without expending energy in the process.
