active transport
- noun
- /ˈæktɪv ˈtrænspɔrt/
- Specialized
:
transporte activo
- Active transport involves the movement of ions across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, which requires energy.
Examples
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So most cells in the body have this active transport system called the sodium potassium pump or the sodium potassium Atpase.
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Some are active transport proteins like this one which is called the sodium potassium pump.
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The sodium-potassium pump is an essential example of active transport because it moves sodium out of the cell while bringing potassium in.
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During active transport, substances are moved from areas of lower concentration to areas of higher concentration using energy.
Antonyms
- Specialized
Movement of substances like oxygen across a cell membrane without using the cell's energy
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'active' (involving physical activity) and 'transport' (movement or travel), so a learner who knows the ordinary senses can directly infer 'travel by walking or cycling'. Note the provided word definitions are specialized biological senses that could mislead, but in general usage the compound is compositional and therefore immediately understandable to B1 learners.
Etymology
Active transport gives a clear image: active, meaning using energy, and transport, meaning carrying something, so it is like a pump carrying particles 'uphill' across a cell membrane 'against the flow'. That's why it means moving substances into or out of a cell even when it costs energy.