Diffusion vs. Active Transport
Main DifferenceThe main difference between the diffusion and active transport is that diffusion is a type of passive transport system in which molecules move across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient while active transport always requires energy to transport molecules against the concentration gradient.
Difference Between Diffusion and Active Transport
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
Diffusion needs no metabolic energy to takes place, but the active transport needs energy in the form of ATPase to occur.
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
Diffusion occurs through the concentration gradient while the active transport takes places against the concentration gradient.
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
In diffusion, there is no net movement of molecules are observed after the equilibrium establishment whereas in case of active transport no equilibrium is established.
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
In diffusion, water, carbon dioxide, hydrophobic molecules, and other monosaccharides are transported inside and outside the cell membrane on the other hand in active transport complex sugars, proteins, ions, and giant cells are transported inside and outside of cell membrane.
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
Diffusion maintains the equilibrium of gases, nutrients, water, and waste inside and outside of the cell while active transport allows the transportation of molecules for example waste, nutrients, and ions.
Diffusionnoun
The act of diffusing or dispersing something, or the property of being diffused or dispersed; dispersion.
Diffusionnoun
(physics) The scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface, or by passage through a translucent medium.
Diffusionnoun
(physics) The intermingling of the molecules of a fluid due to random thermal agitation.
Diffusionnoun
The spread of cultural or linguistic practices, or social institutions, in one or more communities.
Diffusionnoun
Exchange of airborne media between regions in space in an apparently random motion of a small scale.
Diffusionnoun
The movement of water vapor from regions of high concentration (high water vapor pressure) toward regions of lower concentration.
Diffusionnoun
(physics) the process of diffusing; the intermingling of molecules in gases and liquids as a result of random thermal agitation
Diffusionnoun
the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to another
Diffusionnoun
the property of being diffused or dispersed
Diffusionnoun
the act of dispersing or diffusing something;
the dispersion of the troopsthe diffusion of knowledgeComparison Chart
| Diffusion | Active Transport |
| Diffusion is the passive movement of ions and molecules from the area of higher concentration to the area of lower concentration | Active transport is the movement of ions and molecules from the area of higher to the area of lower concentration by the use of cellular energy |
| Type of transportion | |
| Diffusion takes place through the concentration gradient | Active transport takes place against the concentration gradient |
| Energy required process | |
| Diffusion does not need metabolic energy to takes place | Active transport always requires metabolic energy to takes place |
| Material transported in the transport | |
| Water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrophobic molecules, and other monosaccharides | Complex sugars, proteins, ions, and large cells |
| Equilibrium establishment | |
| There is no net movement of molecules are observed after the equilibrium establishment | No equilibrium is established |
| Main Function | |
| Diffusion maintains the equilibrium of gases, nutrients, water and waste inside and outside of the cell | It allows the transportation of molecules for example waste and nutrients |
Diffusion vs. Active Transport
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from the higher concentration to the lower concentration inside and outside the cell membrane while the active transport is the movement of ions from higher concentration to the lower concentration with the aid of cellular metabolic energy. Diffusion occurs through the concentration gradient whereas the active transport takes places against the concentration gradient. Diffusion does not use the cell metabolic energy to takes place while in the case of active transport cellular energy in the form of ATP is used. In the case of diffusion, there is no net movement of molecules are observed after the equilibrium establishment while in case of active transport equilibrium is not established. In diffusion, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrophobic molecules, and other monosaccharides are transported inside and outside the cell membrane on the other side in active transport Complex sugars, proteins, ions, and large cells are transported inside and outside of cell membrane. Diffusion maintains the equilibrium of gases, nutrients, water and waste inside and outside of the cell while active transport allows the transportation of molecules for example waste and nutrients.
What is Diffusion?
Diffusion is that passive movement of molecules from the area of higher concentration to the area of lower concentration along a concentration gradient. Diffusion maintains cell homeostasis. There are three different diffusion methods which are as following; simple diffusion facilitated diffusion and osmosis. Simple diffusion is that type of diffusion in which a molecule moves from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. Once, the particles are uniformly distributed by simple diffusion, the molecules on either side of the cell membrane get an equilibrium where no net movement of molecules is needed. Nonpolar and small molecules like carbon dioxide, ethanol and oxygen move across the cell membrane by using this method of simple diffusion. Facilitated diffusion is that type of diffusion in which the transport of molecules, substances, ions transport across the membrane via a concentration gradient using membrane transport channels. Polar ions and larger ions which can be dissolved in water are transported by particular carrier proteins or transmembrane proteins inside the cell membrane. Large molecules diffuse through transmembrane carrier proteins while polar ions diffuse through transmembrane channel proteins and water molecules are transported via the other type of transmembrane proteins which are known as aquaporins. Osmosis is known as the free diffusion of water molecules across the cell membrane through osmotic pressure.
What is Active Transport?
Active transport is the movement of particles from the area of higher concentration to the area of lower concentration across the cell membrane with the use of cellular metabolic energy. Enzymes bound to the metabolic energy and cellular membrane in the form of ATP that assist the active transport. There are two different types of active transport. One is primary active transport, and the other is secondary active transport. Molecules or ions which are specially recognized by the carrier proteins in the cell membrane. These carrier proteins are powered by the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. There are two examples of primary active transport like the sodium/potassium pump (Na+/K+ and ATP) maintains the resting membrane potential of the nerve cells while the proton/potassium pump (H+/K+ and ATPase) maintains the acidic environment in the stomach. Secondary active transport is powered by the electrochemical gradient. The transmembrane proteins or carrier proteins that are involved in the secondary active transport are known as the cotransporters. There are alsot wo types of cotransporters are found inside the cell which is known as antiporters and symporters. In the case of symporters, specific solute and ions are transported in the same direction, either out of the cell or inside the cell. In antiporters, the specific solute and ions are transported in opposite directions inside and outside the cell.
ConclusionConclusion of this article is that diffusion is the passive movement of ions and molecules from the area of higher concentration to the area of lower concentration with no metabolic energy on the other hand active transport is the movement of ions and molecules from the area of higher to the area of lower concentration with the use of cellular metabolic energy.
