S.N.

Character Active Transport Passive Transport

The movement of molecules within and

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

Energy Energy is required which is in the form of

2. No energy is required.
requirement ATP.

The movement of molecules is from low The movement of molecules is from

Concentration concentration to high concentration which high concentration to low
3.
Gradient means they move against the concentration, which means they move
concentration gradient. along the concentration gradient.

Direction of With the use of ATP, it pumps the In this, the molecules are moved
4.
movement molecules upwards. downwards.

In passive transport carrier proteins are

Carrier Protein or not involved. However, in facilitated
5. Active transport requires carrier proteins.
Pumps diffusion certain channels are present
which utilize no energy.

Involvement of
Matrix or permeases of the membrane are It takes place through
6. matrix or
not involved. matrix/channels/permeases.
permeases

Efficiency of the
7. It is a rapid process. It is comparatively a slow process.
Process

A dynamic equilibrium of water,

Active transport allows molecules to pass nutrients, gasses, and wastes is
Principle of maintained by passive transport
8. the cell membrane, disrupting the
Working
equilibrium established by the diffusion. Between cytosol and extracellular
environment.

9. Directionality Occurs in one direction. Bidirectional process.

10. Process type Active transport is a vital process. Passive Transport is a physical process.

11. Selectivity It is highly selective. It is partly non-selective

Effect of
12. Affected by temperature. Not affected by temperature.
Temperature

Effect of Oxygen This process reduces or stops as the level This process is not affected by the
13.
Level of oxygen content is reduced. oxygen content.

Effect of
Metabolic inhibitors stop the active Metabolic inhibitors do not influence
14. metabolic
transport. passive transport.
inhibitors

Macromolecules like proteins, Oxygen, monosaccharides, water,

Molecules carbohydrate (sugars), lipids, large cell are carbon dioxide, lipids are the few
15.
Transported few of the materials which are transported soluble materials which are being
by this way. transported through this way.

Active transport is classified into two

categories, like primary active transport Passive transport is classified into four
16. Types and secondary active transport. categories like osmosis, diffusion,
Endocytosis, cell membrane/sodium- facilitated diffusion, and filtration.
potassium pump & exocytosis

Though the function of both types of

It is used to maintain the equilibrium,
transport is to carry ions and molecules,
17. Functions within and outside the cell of nutrients,
separately active transport is used to carry
water and gases, etc.
through the cell membrane.

Examples of active transport include a Passive transport occurs in the kidneys

sodium pump, glucose selection in the and the liver, and in the alveoli of the
18. Examples
intestines, and the uptake of mineral ions lungs when they exchange oxygen and
by plant roots. carbon dioxide.