Facilitated Diffusion and Active Transport
Both facilitated diffusion and active transport play a significant role in transportation materials in cell membranes. They perform a similar task of transporting materials, but how it functions, may be same or different.
One of the similarities between the two is what is transported. In facilitated diffusion, sugars, ions and salts are transported across the cell membrane. The components that are transported in facilitated diffusion is also carried in the process of active transport.
Another similarity among the two is that both use proteins during transportation of materials to and from the cells. Protein integral of the cell leads to change in shaper, to be able to transport substances in and out of the cells. Also, another similarity between the two is that they both play a similar role in transporting substances in and out of the cell membrane.
Despite their similarities, there is also a difference between the two. One of the difference is that active transport requires energy, while the facilitated diffusion does not require energy. Inactive transport, the energy needed is adenosine triphosphate(ATP). The bond between the proteins and proteins in facilitated diffusion leads to the change of shape. Change of form happens because of the change in gradient. Facilitated diffusion is needed because of its large transport substances. Due to significant elements they cannot work with a concentration gradient, it will require integral proteins. Unlike facilitated diffusion, active transport uses ATP to change the shape of proteins. Energy is needed in this process because substances transported are moving against the concentration gradient. ATP brings the difference between the two forms of transport.
Importance of Having Active and Passive Transport in Transportation
In biology, the cell membrane has been known for a long period of time to multi-task.it contains phospholipid bilayer that determines the type of molecules that can move in or out of the cells. This helps in maintaining homeostasis.
Molecules can be moved across the cell membrane in two major ways. The mode of movement always depends on whether energy in the cell is used or not. So the presence of passive and active mechanisms ensures that substances across the cell are moved. In passive transport, there is no energy required, while in active transport energy is needed. When some materials cannot move alone due to their size across the cells, energy will be required. Thus active transport will play its role. Presence of the two mechanisms of transport ensures that there are continuous movements of substances in and out of the cell.