Active Transport vs. Passive Transport
Key Differences
Comparison Chart
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Functions
Types of Particle Transport
Types of Transport
Usage
Examples
What is Active Transport?
Active Transport is the biological body transport system that does not follow the natural phenomena of transport. In this kind of biochemical transport, large and heavy molecules of food and waste are forcefully moved in and out of the cell body with the help of pumping that requires energy. In other words, active transport can also be described as the phenomena of transportation of larger molecules against the concentration gradient with the help of energy. Usually, according to the concentration gradient, molecules move from higher concentration towards the lower concentration. Active transport works against this phenomena using force pumping and energy. Active transport is very much necessary in higher organism who have eukaryotic cells. A eukaryotic cell needs protein, lipids, large sugar and various other particles too. Active transport is the phenomena due to which all these proteins, lipids and sugars are transported inside the cell body forcefully passing the cell membrane with the help of chemical energy. The chemical energy provided for active transport is gathered from ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) packets, which are the rich energy source that provides energy to the whole body and helps in metabolism. Energy provided by the ATP is used for protein pumping which helps in the entrances of protein and lipid particles inside the cell passing the cell membrane. These phenomena are termed as phagocytosis, pinocytosis, endocytosis and exocytosis depending upon the kind of substance transport in or out from the cell. It works against the concentration gradient as it forcefully enters the food inside the cell and moves the waste out.
What is Passive Transport?
Passive Transport is the common type of usual body transport system that follows the natural phenomena of transport. Passive transport is down the concentration gradient. In other words, passive transport can be described as the moment and transportation of molecules from higher concentration towards the lower concentration. It is the natural phenomena following the nature rule. It does not require any energy, pumping or force as the molecules automatically move and get transported from higher concentration towards lower concentration region. Passive transport includes the movement and transport of soluble substances that are smaller in size and can be easily dissolved in the blood stream i.e. oxygen, water, etc. The basic purpose of passive transport inside the body is to maintain the body equilibrium. Passive transports help in the regulation of water and other molecules all around the body. It usually transports water, gasses and extracellular fluid in the whole body. Passive transport is further categorized, or we can say divided into sub transport types. These are diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion. Diffusion is the moment of gaseous molecules from higher concentration area towards lower concentration region. Osmosis is the moment of water molecules from higher concentration towards the lower concentration through the semipermeable membrane (i.e. Cell membrane). Facilitated diffusion is the phenomena of the moment of larger molecules from higher concentration towards the lower concentration with the help of carrier proteins that help in passing the lipid layer of the cell membranes.
