Lecture – 07

What are the differences between osmosis an active transport?

Answer:
Osmosis Active transport
1. 1. Osmosis is the diffusion of water 1. 1. Active transport is the movement of
molecules, down the concentration solutes from an area of low concentration
gradient, through a partially permeable to high concentration so against the
membrane. concentration gradient.
2.
3. 2. It is a passive process.  2. It is an active process.
4.
5. 3. Energy is not used during the proess. 6. 3. Energy from the respiration is used
during the process.

The water moves fro the area of high concentration of water to low concentration
water.

It may help to consider this as the opposite to osmosis. Because you are going against
the gradient active transport requires a pump or carrier protein in the cell
membrane and therefore energy (made through respiration).