Subtopic 3.

3
3.3 ()
Active transport
3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 () Contents
3.3.2 () 3.3.0 The big picture ()
3.3.1 Describing active transport ()
3.3.3 ()
3.3.2 Summary and key terms ()
3.3.3 Checklist ()

Section 3.3.0

The big picture

Look at Figure 1. The height difference between the reservoir behind the dam and the lake at the bottom of the dam is
very similar to a concentration gradient. The water flows down from the dam easily, just as diffusion allows molecules
to move easily down their concentration gradient.
3.3 ()

3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()

Figure 1. A dam unloading water.

Credit: Juan Enrique del Barrio Arri , Getty Images

But what if something wants to move the other way? How could you get water from the lake at the bottom of the dam
back to the reservoir behind the dam? How can molecules move against a concentration gradient?

The water in the lake will need help to move back to the reservoir. Whatever method you choose, from using a pump to
carrying the water in buckets, you would need to use energy to move the water.

The cell membrane of a cell is like a dam in many ways, as it allows certain substances to pass through easily. However,
with a little help – and a little energy – a cell membrane can also move substances against the concentration gradient.
 Before you move on to the next section, read through the learning outcomes below and answer the section questions to

3.3 ()
check that you have the prior knowledge required to understand this subtopic.

3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 ()  Learning intentions

3.3.2 () By the end of this subtopic you will be able to explain how active transport moves particles against their
concentration gradient.
3.3.3 ()

If you take the extended course, you will also be able to identify examples of active transport in living organisms
and recognise that carrier proteins are necessary for active transport to function.

To see the full list of learning objectives, go to the Checklist (/schoolstaff/app/cambridge-igcse-biology-

fe2023/book/movement-into-and-out-of-cells/active-transport/checklist/).

  

Section questions
- Hide 3 questions

Question 1
Short text

True or false?

Diffusion can only happen across a membrane.

Correct answers

False
 F
Answer explanation
3.3 ()
While diffusion can occur across a membrane, it does not require one. There are many examples of diffusion happening
3.3.0 ()
without a membrane, such as food colouring diffusing through a glass of water or the chemicals from cooking food
3.3.1 ()
diffusing through the air causing you to smell the food from the opposite side of the room.
3.3.2 ()
Question 2
3.3.3 ()
Multiple choice

Across what type of membrane does osmosis occur?

Choices

Correct choice #1

Partially permeable

Answer explanation

Osmosis occurs across partially permeable membranes.

#2
Fully permeable

#3
Impermeable

#4
Any membrane

Question 3
 Multiple choice

Which is a function of the cell membrane?

3.3 ()

Choices
3.3.0 ()
Correct choice #1
3.3.1 ()
It controls what can enter and leave the cell.
3.3.2 ()
Answer explanation
3.3.3 ()
The cell membrane controls what can enter and leave a cell.

#2
It prevents all molecules from entering or leaving the cell.

#3
It holds the cell together.

#4
It is responsible for energy generation.

Section 3.3.1

Describing active transport

Active transport (Figure 1) is the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration
 to a region of higher concentration, using energy released from respiration. Active transport works in the opposite

3.3 ()
direction to diffusion.

3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()

Figure 1. Active transport occurs against a concentration gradient. Energy from respiration is used to drive the movement of a
substance across a membrane.

 Study skills
Remember that mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration and supply energy to the cell. Cells that carry out
lots of active transport typically contain more mitochondria than cells that do not.
 Extended 

3.3 ()

3.3.0 ()
Explaining active transport
3.3.1 ()
Cell membranes contain different proteins. Some of these are carrier proteins, which connect one side of the
3.3.2 () membrane to the other. Carrier proteins can pick up the substances the cell needs and pass them through the
3.3.3 () membrane. These proteins can change their shape to make this happen. The process uses energy, which is
supplied by respiration.

Watch this short video to see how active transport works.

Transport In Cells: Active Transport | Cells | Biology | Fuse…

Fuse…

Active transport in plants

 Sometimes, a plant needs substances that are not at a high concentration outside the plant. For example, the

3.3 ()
concentration of nitrate ions is likely to be higher inside a plant's root hair cells than in the soil surrounding
them. Diffusion would cause nitrate ions to move out of the plant. However, active transport allows the plant to
3.3.0 ()
take in these vital ions (see subtopic 6.1 (/schoolstaff/app/cambridge-igcse-biology-fe2023/book/plant-
3.3.1 () nutrition/photosynthesis/the-big-picture/)).
3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()
Comparing transport processes
Table 1 summarises the main features of diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

Table 1. A summary of the main features of diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

Diffusion Osmosis Active transport

Substance(s) gases and other substances water only substances in

transported in solution, e.g. O2 and CO2 solution

Needs energy no no yes

from
respiration?

Requires a no (but can happen across yes (must be partially permeable yes
membrane? membranes) membrane)

Needs carrier no no yes

proteins?
 Diffusion Osmosis Active transport
3.3 ()
Direction of from high to low from high to low water potential from low to high
3.3.0 ()
transport concentration of substance (dilute solution to concentrated concentration of
3.3.1 () solution) substance

3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()
 Activity 

Use the following drag and drop activity to check your understanding of the different transport
processes.
3.3 ()

3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()

From high to low concentration Requires transport proteins Ne

G
Requires a partially permeable
membrane From high to low water potential

From low to high concentration Only water trans

 Check

 

  

Section questions
 - Hide 6 questions

Question 1
3.3 ()
Multiple choice

3.3.0 () Which chemical process provides the energy for active transport?
3.3.1 ()
Choices
3.3.2 ()
Correct choice #1

3.3.3 () Respiration

Answer explanation

Respiration breaks down food molecules to release energy for active transport.

#2
Diffusion

#3
Mitochondria

#4
Plasmolysis

Question 2
Multiple choice

In which direction will particles move during active transport?

Choices

Correct choice #1
 From a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration.

3.3 ()
Answer explanation

3.3.0 () During active transport, particles move through a cell membrane, from a region of lower concentration to a region
3.3.1 ()
of higher concentration. Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of
lower concentration.
3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()
#2
From a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

#3
From a region of lower water potential to a region of higher water potential.

#4
From low to high.

Question 3
Multiple choice

Extended

Identify the molecule required for active transport.

Choices

Correct choice #1

Carrier protein

Answer explanation
 Carrier proteins use energy from respiration to transport particles across the cell membrane during active transport.

3.3 ()
#2
3.3.0 () Peripheral protein

3.3.1 ()
#3
3.3.2 () Enzyme

3.3.3 ()
#4
Receptor protein

Question 4
Multiple choice

Extended

Which of the following is active transport not used for?

Choices

Correct choice #1

The uptake of carbon dioxide into a leaf.

Answer explanation

Carbon dioxide is taken into a leaf by diffusion, not by active transport.

#2
The uptake of ions into plants.
 #3
The uptake of glucose by the epithelial cells of villi.
3.3 ()

3.3.0 () #4
The movement of glucose from the kidney tubules to the blood.
3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 () Question 5
Multiple choice
3.3.3 ()
Identify the process in the following list that is not an example of diffusion.

Choices

Correct choice #1

Uptake of nitrate ions from soil.

Answer explanation

The concentration of nitrate ions is usually lower in the soil than in the root hair cells. As a result, plants must use
active transport, rather than diffusion, to take in these ions. We will look at this in subtopic 3.3.

#2
Oxygen moving out of a leaf.

#3
Carbon dioxide moving from the bloodstream into the lungs.

#4
Smelling deodorant that someone has sprayed in a room.

Question 6
 Fill in the blanks

The  1 carrier proteins transport molecules across the cell membrane during active transport.
3.3 ()

3.3.0 ()
Accepted answers and explanation
3.3.1 ()
#1 carrier
3.3.2 ()

Carrier proteins use energy from respiration to transport particles across the cell membrane during active transport.
3.3.3 ()

Section 3.3.2

Summary and key terms

Active transport is the movement of particles across a membrane from an area of low concentration to an area of
high concentration. To go against the concentration gradient, energy from respiration is required.

Extended 

Active transport is an important process for moving molecules across membranes in many living
organisms. Examples include moving minerals into root hair cells in plants and the absorption of glucose
in the small intestines.

Active transport is carried out by carrier proteins in the membrane.

  Key terms
3.3 ()

3.3.0 () Review these key terms. Do you know them all? Fill in as many gaps as you can using the terms in
this list.
3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 ()
1. The movement of particles across a membrane and against their gradient using
3.3.3 () energy is known as .

2. Active transport uses energy from .

3. [Extended] move particles across membranes against their concentration gradient.

4. [Extended] Active transport is used in to transport minerals into plants and in

to transport glucose from our small intestine to our blood.

Carrier proteins active transport concentration root hair cells respiration villi

 Check

 Reuse
3.3 ()
Section 3.3.3
3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 () Checklist
3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()  What you should know

After studying this subtopic, you should be able to:

Core

Describe active transport as the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration (i.e. against a concentration gradient), using energy from
respiration.

Extended

Explain the importance of active transport as a process for movement of molecules or ions across
membranes, including ion uptake by root hairs.

State that protein carriers move molecules or ions across a membrane during active transport.

2022 © Kognity Cookies

(/cookie-policy/) Terms of use (/terms/)
3.3 ()

3.3.0 ()

3.3.1 ()

3.3.2 ()

3.3.3 ()