What is the difference between diffusion and active transport?

Diffusion is passive (doesn't need use energy as ATP) where as active transport is active (by hydrolysis of ATP )
Diffusion is down a concentration gradient (from are high conc to low conc) where as active transport goes against concentration gradient (from low conc to high conc)
Molecule can diffuse through the cell membrane (phospholipid bilayer *) where as active transport used carrier proteins in cell membrane for molecules to pass through. *Can explain the meaning of this if your not sure


LM
Answered by Leena M. Biology tutor

2717 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

30% of a population lacks the ability to taste the chemical PTC. Non-tasters are homozygouse recessive for this tasting gene. What percentage of the population are tasters and what percentage of the population are NOT heterozygous for this trait?


Describe the process of synaptic transmission


Describe the role of the thylakoid membrane.


Describe the similarities and differences in structure between DNA and RNA


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning