Active Transport - Overview, Topics, Definition, Types & Examples

What is Active Transport?

The process by which cells transfer substances from a region of lower concentration to one of higher concentration against the normal flow of diffusion is known as active transport. The nutrients that are present in low amounts outside the cell or the removal of waste products that are present in higher concentrations within the cell depends on this process.

Active Transport Meaning

The term active transport in botany refers to any molecular movement that needs energy to take place. Active transport uses energy to carry out the required movement of substances across cell membranes, in contrast to passive transport, which depends on the fundamental kinetic energy of molecules.

Types of Active Transport

The different types of active transport mechanisms all perform different functions and utilise energy to transport substances across cellular membranes in different ways.

Primary Active Transport

• It makes use of ATP directly to pump molecules across their concentration gradient.

• Example: Sodium-Potassium Pump, moves sodium ions out and potassium ions into the cell.

• It maintains ion gradients and cell volume, thus transmission of the nerve impulse is enabled.

Secondary Active Transport

• Transportation of molecules using energy obtained from primary active transport

• In symport, the molecules move in the same direction as the driving ion

• Example: Glucose and sodium ions transported together into the intestinal cells

• In antiport, the movement of molecules is in the opposite direction to that of the driving ion.

• Example: Sodium-calcium exchanger pumps sodium ions into a cell while pumping out calcium ions.

Bulk Transport

• Endocytosis is the uptake of large particles or liquids by the formation of vesicles.

• Phagocytosis is the engulfment of large particles, such as bacteria, from outside the cell as vesicles, a process called cell eating.

• Pinocytosis is the intake of fluids and dissolved substances from outside the cell, known as cell drinking.

• Exocytosis refers to the release of materials from the cell by the fusion of a vesicle with the plasma membrane.

• Example: Neurotransmitters or hormones released by nerve cells and glands.

Active Transport Diagram

The diagram of active transport across a cell membrane shows molecules moving from low concentration outside the cell to high concentration inside the cell using ATP, with ATP converting into ADP and phosphate.

Mechanisms of Active Transport

The mechanism of active transport in plants is described below-

Primary Active Transport Mechanism

The main components of primary active transport are:

Sodium-Potassium Pump

• It pumps out 3 sodium ions from the cell and pulls 2 potassium ions into the cell, both against their concentration gradient.

• This is crucial for the maintenance of cellular ion balance, volume, and resting membrane potential.

Proton Pump

• The proton pump moves protons across the membrane to build up gradients. It operates in plants, bacteria, and many other organisms, driving many other processes, such as the synthesis of ATP or regulation of pH.

Secondary Active Transport Mechanism

The two main components of secondary active transport are:

Symport

• Transporter proteins transport two types of molecules in the same direction across the membrane.

• Example: Glucose and sodium ions are transported together into cells in the intestines.

Antiport

• Transporter proteins transport two types of molecules in opposite directions.

• Example: Sodium ions are exchanged for calcium ions across the plasma membrane.

Bulk Transport

Bulk transport is through two main processes:

Endocytosis

• The taking in of large amounts of materials by engulfing it into a vesicle.

• Includes phagocytosis (cell eating) and pinocytosis (cell drinking).

Exocytosis

• A process through which substances are removed from the cell by the formation of vesicles, which fuse with the plasma membrane.

• Applied in the secretion of hormones, neurotransmitters, and waste products.

Examples of Active Transport

• Active transport is an important aspect in humans under many physiological processes.

• It occurs against the concentration gradient of glucose and amino acids in their absorption from food into the intestinal cells.

• The establishment of ion gradients through the action of the sodium-potassium pump is very important to the generation of the action potential used in the transmission of nerve signals.

• Transport proteins may facilitate the entry of drugs into cells or may impede their entry.

Active Transport in Plants

The active transport process is involved in various physiological activities in plants, particularly in the process of nutrient uptake and maintenance of cellular activities.

Nutrient Uptake

• Plants take up most of the essential minerals like potassium, calcium and nitrate from the soil medium into the respective cells against its concentration gradient through active transport.

• Specialised cells in the form of root hairs increase the surface area of absorption.

• Proton pumps generate a proton gradient across the root cell membrane, which favours ion uptake.

• The plant root tends to equilibrate the concentration of hydrogen ions H⁺ in the soil by exchanging them with necessary mineral ions like K⁺, thus promoting uptake.

• For instance, potassium ions are absorbed in exchange with hydrogen ions secreted into the soil.

• Most plants have symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi that significantly enhance inorganic phosphate and other solutes via active transport mechanisms.

Turgor Pressure

• Active transport of ions into the vacuoles of the cell helps to maintain the turgor pressure.

• Transport ions like potassium and chloride into the vacuole by using ATP. The water then enters the vacuole in the process of osmosis.

Transport throughout the Plant

• During loading and offloading of nutrients in the xylem and phloem, there are also instances of active transport.

• Example include sucrose is actively transported into the phloem cells to be distributed throughout the plant.

Notes on Active Transport

• Energy-Dependent: Energy is required because the substances are moved against their concentration gradient; therefore, they need ATP.

• Importance in Homeostasis: Active transport is important in maintaining the internal environment of cells with all ingredients needed for maintenance in suitable concentrations.

• Regulation: The process is regulated so the cells can properly respond to their environment.

Exam Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to study active transport in exams:

Learning Aids: Summarize the key concepts of active transport by including its definition, mechanisms and types. Explain the processes like sodium-potassium pump using diagrams emphasizing the concept of energy requirement - ATP and moving molecules against the concentration gradient.

Mnemonics: Use the word "PASS" as a Mnemonic. The first letter represents Primary active transport, the second letter represents the usage of ATP, the third letter stands for Secondary active transport, and the last letter stands for Sodium-Potassium pump.

Practice Diagrams: Diagrams illustrating active transport mechanisms-like sodium-potassium and calcium pumps-should also be explained to really learn how these work.

Real-Life Examples: Relate theoretical concepts about active transport to reality. Examples include when plants take nutrients from the soil or when ion pumps help propagate the impulses in nerve transmission. These will help you understand active transport mechanisms better.

Exams Relevance

The table below indicates the types of questions and weightage of active transport in different exams:

Active Transport NEET MCQs

Q1. Active transport uses the energy from_________ to transport the molecules from outside to inside across a membrane.

1. Cyclic AMP

2. Phloroglucinol

3. Acetyl chlorine

4. ATP

Correct answer: 4) ATP

Explanation:

Active transport mechanisms require the use of cellular energy, primarily in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is itself formed through secondary active transport using a hydrogen ion gradient in the mitochondria.

Hence the correct answer is option 4) ATP.

Q2. Movement and accumulation of ions across a membrane against their concentration gradient can be explained by

1. Osmosis

2. Facilitated diffusion

3. Passive transport

4. Active transport

Correct answer: 4) Active transport

Explanation:

Active transport is the process by which ions or molecules are moved across a membrane against their concentration gradient, from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration. This process requires the expenditure of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

During active transport, specialized transport proteins, such as pumps or carriers, are involved in the movement of ions or molecules across the membrane. These transport proteins actively move the ions or molecules, using ATP as an energy source, to create a concentration gradient that is different from the equilibrium state.

This process is in contrast to passive transport, such as osmosis or facilitated diffusion, where the movement of ions or molecules occurs along the concentration gradient and does not require energy expenditure.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4) Active Transport.

Q3. In Active absorption, _______cells of the plant play an active role in the absorption of water and metabolic activities.

1. Stem

2. Root

3. Leave

4. Trunk

Correct answer: 2) Root

Explanation:

In active absorption, the cells of the plant's roots are actively involved in absorbing water and other metabolic activities. The root hair cells, for instance, are involved in the active transport of minerals and water from the soil to the inside of the plant through energy that is required to move the substances against their concentration gradient. The cells also engage in several metabolic activities such as the synthesis of enzymes, which helps in the uptake of nutrients and other cellular functions.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Root.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Difference Between Active and Passive Transport

• Osmosis

• Transport Across Cell Membrane

FAQs on Active Transport

What are the types of active transport?

Active transport is classified into two main types:

1. Primary active transport: It uses direct energy from ATP hydrolysis to pump molecules against their concentration gradient (e.g., sodium-potassium pump).

2. Secondary active transport: It does not use ATP directly but relies on the energy stored in the form of an ion gradient created by primary transport. It includes symport and antiport.

3. Bulk Transport: It is the energy requiring movement of large molecules, macromolecules, or even whole cells across a cell membrane. (e.d., endocytosis and exocytosis).

What is the sodium-potassium pump?

The sodium-potassium pump is a classic example of primary active transport. It uses ATP energy to pump 3 sodium ions (Na⁺) out of the cell and 2 potassium ions (K⁺) in against their concentration gradients. This maintains the resting membrane potential, regulates osmotic balance, and provides the ion gradient needed for nerve impulses and muscle contraction.

How does active transport occur in plants?

In plants, active transport occurs when ions and minerals are absorbed by root cells from the soil against their concentration gradients. This process requires ATP energy provided by cellular respiration. Carrier proteins in the plasma membrane act as pumps, moving ions like K⁺, Ca²⁺, and NO₃⁻ into root hair cells. This helps maintain nutrient supply, osmotic balance, and overall plant growth.

What is symport and antiport in biology?

• Symport: A type of secondary active transport where two substances move across the membrane in the same direction using the energy of one ion’s gradient. Example: uptake of sucrose with H⁺ ions in plant cells.

• Antiport: Another form of secondary active transport where substances move in opposite directions across the membrane. Example: sodium-calcium exchanger in animal cells, where Na⁺ enters as Ca²⁺ exits.

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