1.4.2

Active Movement Across Membranes

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Active Transport in Humans and Plants

Active transport uses energy and is in charge of moving ions and molecules across a membrane against the concentration gradient.

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Carrier proteins

  • An important membrane adaption for active transport is the presence of specific carrier proteins to facilitate movement.
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Sugar absorption in the gut

  • One example of active transport is sugar (glucose) absorption in the gut.
    • Active transport allows glucose molecules, which are needed for cell respiration, to be absorbed into the blood from the gut, even when the glucose concentration of the blood is higher.
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Mineral absorption in plants

  • Another example of active transport is mineral absorption in plants.
    • Active transport in the root hairs of plants allows plants to absorb mineral ions, which are necessary for healthy growth, even though the concentration of minerals is usually lower in the soil than in the root hair.
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Rate of active transport

  • The main factors that affect the rate of active transport are:
    • The surface area of cell membranes.
    • The number of carrier proteins in cell membranes.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

3Genetics

4Ecology

5Evolution & Biodiversity

6Human Physiology

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.3Growth in Plants

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

11AHL: Animal Physiology

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