Question

Explain one way in which facilitated diffusion is the same as simple diffusion and one way in which it is different from simple diffusion.

Answer 1

1. Both facilitated diffusion and simple diffusion move substances according to the concentration gradient.

2. Facilitated diffusion uses membrane transport proteins while simple diffusion does not use them.

Explanation:

Both facilitated and simple diffusions are the passive processes. This means that these two processes do not use the energy to transport substances. Rather concentration gradient of the substance moves them spontaneously. Therefore, both the processes move substances from higher to lower concentration.

However, facilitated diffusion uses channels and carrier proteins to move the polar and charged particles that cannot diffuse freely across the membrane. channels and carrier proteins are the membrane proteins. Simple diffusion does not involve membrane transport proteins.