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Difference Between Active and Passive Transport with Similarities

Difference Between Active and Passive Transport : 

Active transport involves in movement of molecules across the cell membrane, pumping the molecules against the concentration gradient using ATP (energy) is called Active transport.
Passive transport involves in the movement of molecules within and across the cell membrane and thus transporting it through the concentration gradient, without using ATP (energy) is called Passive transport.

Similarities between Active and Passive Transport
The similarities that we can find between active transport and passive transport are:
  1. Both Active and Passive transport processes correspond to functions that are needed to carry out the process of cellular nutrition.
  2. The presence of a concentration gradient of the molecules across the plasma membrane is necessary for both active and passive transport.
  3. They are two types of substance transport mechanisms across the plasma membrane of cells.
  4. Both processes correspond to the exchange of substances from the inside to the outside of the cell.  
  5. Both processes maintain stability within the cell to keep it functional.
  6. Both processes can occur within the cell to exchange substances between the different organelles of the cell.
  7. Both processes can eliminate waste products.

Difference Between Active and Passive Transport

Active Vs Passive Transport with Examples:


Active Transport Passive Transport
Active transport involves the movement of molecules across the cell membrane, pumping the molecules against the concentration gradient using ATP (energy) is called Active transport. Passive transport involves the movement of molecules within and across the cell membrane and thus transporting it through the concentration gradient, without using ATP (energy) is called Passive transport.
The movement of molecules is from low concentration to high concentration which means they move against the concentration gradient. The movement of molecules is from high concentration to low concentration, which means they move along the concentration gradient.
For Active transport, Energy is required in the form of ATP. For Passive transport, No energy is required.
Active transport uses ATP to pump the molecules in upwards directions. In this, the molecules are moved downward directions.
It is a more rapid process than passive transport. Active transport is comparatively a slow process.
Active transport occurs in one direction (unidirectional). Passive transport is a Bidirectional process.
It is highly selective. It is partly non-selective
Active transport is Affected by temperature. Passive transport is Not affected by temperature.
The active transport and carrier proteins are required. The passive transport, carrier proteins are not required.
Active transport is classified into two categories, primary active transport, and secondary active transport. Passive transport is classified into four categories like osmosis, diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and filtration
Macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates (sugars), lipids, and large cells are a few of the materials which are transported in this way. Oxygen, monosaccharides, water, carbon dioxide, and lipids are the few soluble materials that are being transported in this way.



What is active transport?

  • The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane from lower concentration to higher concentration with the help of proteins or enzymes.
  • This movement is against a concentration gradient due to this it requires cellular energy to achieve this movement. 
  • There are three types of these carriers proteins or transporters: uniporters, symporters, and antiporters by which molecules move.
  • There are two types of Active transport, Primary Active transport, and Secondary Active transport. 
  • Exocytosis, endocytosis, and sodium-potassium pump are a few examples of active transport. 
  • In the sodium-potassium pump sodium ions moves outside of the cell and potassium ions to the inside of the cell.
  • Other examples of active transport are: Absorption of mineral ions by plant roots, Absorption of amino acids from the gut, Excretion of urea and hydrogen ions by the mammalian kidney, uptake of glucose by epithelial cells in the small intestine
  • Different inhibitors inhibit active transport.

What is Passive Transport?
  • The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane from higher concentration to lower concentration.
  • It is also known as passive diffusion.
  • Like Active transport, Passive transport does not require cellular energy to move substances across cell membranes. 
  • There are three main types of passive transport osmosis, diffusion, and facilitated diffusion.
  • In diffusion, the solutes or molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration eg. diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • Facilitated diffusion is the type of passive transport in which solutes or molecules moves across the cell membrane through specific transmembrane integral proteins.

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