What Is The Difference Between Simple Diffusion And Facilitated Diffusion
Camila Farah
The main difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion is that simple diffusion is an unassisted type of diffusion in which a particle moves from higher to a lower concentration across a membrane whereas facilitated diffusion is the transport of substances across a biological membrane through a concentration gradient by means of a carrier molecule.
The speed of facilitated diffusion is relatively higher. Facilitated diffusion may or may not require energy from atp. Facilitated diffusion is also a passive transport mechanism that doesn t require any energy but some facilitated diffusion processes can be active. The speed of simple diffusion is relatively low.
To pass across the membrane a molecule temporarily binds with a carrier transport protein in the plasma membrane and is transported from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration. The key difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion is that simple diffusion occurs without the involvement of channel or carrier proteins while the facilitated diffusion occurs through channel or carrier proteins. Facilitated diffusion entails movement of substances across a biological membrane through a concentration gradient by means of a carrier molecule. 2 in simple diffusion small hydrophobic molecules can pass but those which are not small and hydrophobic pass through facilitated diffusion.
Simple diffusion is always a passive process. Simple diffusion entails movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration across a membrane without the assistance of carrier molecules. These molecules use facilitated diffusion which like simple diffusion requires no energy input. Simple diffusion is a passive transport as thus doesn t require any energy.
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1 in simple diffusion the force made by diffusion pushes the molecule across the membrane but in facilitated diffusion it is aided by proteins. The facilitated diffusion can be inhibited by specific inhibitor which binds to the carrier molecules.Source : pinterest.com