Active Transport

• The movement of particles across the plasma

membrane against the concentration
gradient, that is from a region of low
concentration to a region of high concentration.
• Active transport requires an input of energy
provided by ATP. So, it can only take place in
living organism.

• Active transport also requires specific carrier

proteins that bind to the substance to be
transported, enabling the substance to pass
rapidly across the plasma membrane.

• Sometimes the carrier proteins are referred to

biological pumps.
Sodium-potassium pump
 Ion intake by root
hairs of a plant

Mineral ions are absorbed across the membranes of the root

hairs by active transport.