B2.1.3 - Active transport

Question 1

What is active transport?

Answer 1

Active transport is the movement of particles across a membrane against a concentration gradient from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration

Question 2

What kind of process is active transport?

Answer 2

It is an active process as it requires energy

Question 3

Why do cells that carry out active transport a lot contain many mitochondria?

Answer 3

So they can respire rapidly to produce large quantities of ATP

Question 4

The greater the respiration rate…

Answer 4

The greater the rate of active transport

Question 5

What are carrier proteins?

Answer 5

Carrier proteins are special proteins that stretch across the width of the cell membrane

Question 6

What is an example of active transport in our body?

Answer 6

During digestion, carbohydrates in our small intestine are broken down into glucose. This is then actively transported into the bloodstream through the villi. The blood takes it wherever it is needed

Question 7

What is an example of active transport in plants?

Answer 7

Plants use active transport to take in minerals from the soil. For example there is a normally a lower concentration of nitrate ions in the soil water surroundings the roots than in the plant so the plant root hair cells use active transport to transport these ions