Explain the differences between active transport and facilitated diffusion.

Active transport is an active process meaning it requires the use of ATP, whereas facilitated diffusion is a passive process meaning it does not need ATP.To carry out the process active transport only requires carrier proteins; facilitated diffusion on the other hand involves protein channels or carriers.During active transport the molecules move up the concentration gradient, from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. However in facilitated diffusion the molecules move along/ down the concentration gradient, from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.