Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that relies on what?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the mechanism behind facilitated diffusion, a type of passive transport. It wants to know which component is essential for this process to occur.
Answer
Facilitated diffusion relies on the molecular binding between a cargo and a membrane-embedded channel or carrier protein.
Facilitated diffusion, a type of passive transport, relies on the molecular binding between a cargo and a membrane-embedded channel or carrier protein.
Answer for screen readers
Facilitated diffusion, a type of passive transport, relies on the molecular binding between a cargo and a membrane-embedded channel or carrier protein.
More Information
Facilitated diffusion is crucial for transporting molecules that cannot easily diffuse across the cell membrane. This process is passive, meaning it doesn't require energy input from the cell because it follows the concentration gradient.
Tips
A common mistake is to think facilitated diffusion requires energy because it involves proteins; however, it's passive because it follows the concentration gradient.
Sources
- Facilitated diffusion - Definition and Examples - Biology Online - biologyonline.com
- Simple diffusion and passive transport (article) | Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- 2.14: Facilitated Diffusion - Biology LibreTexts - bio.libretexts.org
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