What is the difference between active transport and facilitated diffusion?

Active transport involves ATP, as molecules are being moved from a low concentration, to a high concentration, against a concentration gradient. Facilitated diffusion does not require ATP, as molecules are naturally diffusing from a high to low concentration, down a concentration gradient. However, both involve molecules binding to carrier proteins, and travelling across a semi-permeable membrane.

Active transport requires energy in order to move ions and molecules against a concentration gradient while facilitated diffusion occurs down a concentration gradient and hence requires no energy input in the form of ATP.

Hello,

Good question.

Active transport is the movement of substances from low to high concentration, therefore it requires energy in the form of ATP. So, we call active transport an "active process".

Facilitated diffusion is the movement of substances from a high to low concentration, with the use of carrier or protein channels, as it's going down the concentration gradient it does not require energy. Therefore, facilitated diffusion is a "passive process".

Hello, active transport is an 'active' process therefore the use of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is required. On the other hand, facilitated diffusion is a 'passive' process thus it does not require ATP.

Facilitated diffusion follows a concentration gradient (from high to low) whereas active transport is the opposite - moving molecules from low concentration to high concentration. Both involve a intermediary carrier like a protein channel or a carrier, but active transport requires the use of ATP to go against the concentration gradient, and facilitated diffusion is passive, merely helped by the carrier across a membrane to follow the gradient.

The difference between facilitated diffusion and active transport is that facilitated diffusion is down a concentration gradient whereas active transport is against the concentration gradient so from a low to high concentration. Facilitated diffusion requires channel or carrier proteins whereas active transport requires only carrier proteins.

Active transport requires energy ATP in order to take place as you are going against the concentration gradient.

Facilitated diffusion is still passive however it required protein channels across the phospholipid membrane to take place.

Active Transport requires energy (ATP). Diffusion does not