Question

How does facilitated transport differ from diffusion?

Answer 1

Hint: Along the direction of concentration gradient movement of particles takes place is known as simple diffusion but in facilitated transport along the direction as well as the opposite of the concentration gradient in both ways movement of the particles can take place.

Complete answer:
1)Based on definitions simple diffusion is simply the unassisted movement of solute and a type of passive transport and it occurs when the two sides of the permeable barrier of electrochemical potential vary.

2)Facilitated transport is a specific structural component of biological membranes and a type of biological transport that interact with classes of solute or particular solute.

3)Based on energy requirements simple diffusion does not require any energy as it is passive transport and facilitated transport does not require energy as it is also passive transport but some facilitated transport can be an active one.

4)Based on the speed, simple diffusion is low in its process but facilitated transport is high in its process.

5)Based on inhibition simple diffusion does not require any inhibitor molecule but in facilitated transport, it requires a specific inhibitor molecule.

6)Based on the size of the molecule simple diffusion along with non-polar molecules involved in small passages but facilitated ones are involved in the large as well as polar molecules.

Note: In simple diffusion with the use of carrier molecules, movement of metabolites are along the concentration gradient across the membrane, and in facilitated transport movement of molecules is through the channels in the membrane.