Active Transport (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science): Revision Note

Active Transport: Extended

• Active transport is the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy from respiration

The process of active transport

Importance of Active Transport: Extended

• Energy is needed because particles are being moved against a concentration gradient, in the opposite direction from which they would naturally move (by diffusion)

• Active transport is vital process for the movement of molecules or ions across membranes

• Including:

  • uptake of glucose by epithelial cells in the villi of the small intestine and by kidney tubules in the nephron

  • uptake of ions from soil water by root hair cells in plants