Two Major Types Of Active Transport File
. It doesn’t use ATP directly. Instead, it relies on the "wake" left behind by the primary pumps. Remember how the Sodium-Potassium pump builds up a huge "dam" of sodium outside the cell? Secondary active transport uses the pressure of that dam. As sodium naturally tries to leak back into the cell (following the concentration gradient), it flows through a different transport protein. This protein acts like a revolving door—as the sodium enters, it "pulls" another molecule (like glucose) along with it. The Nuance: It still requires energy, but it’s
The potential energy stored in the concentration gradient of another molecule (typically Na⁺ or H⁺). This gradient was originally created by a primary active transport pump. two major types of active transport
The substances move in opposite directions . One goes in while the other is pushed out. Summary Table Primary Active Transport Secondary Active Transport Energy Source Direct use of ATP Electrochemical gradient Mechanism Pumping via conformational change Hitching a ride (Cotransport) Goal Establish a gradient Use a gradient to move a second substance Remember how the Sodium-Potassium pump builds up a