Question

Secondary active transport relies on coupling of two transporters and requires energy. What form of energy is used by each of the coupled transporters in secondary active transport?

Answer 1

Ans:- Secondary active transport also known as coupled transport or cotransport. Active transport means transport of molecules through the cell membrane by utilizing energy in other forms than ATP. This energy comes from electrochemical gradient which is created by pumping ions out of the cell. There are two types of active transport and they are- primary active transport and secondary active transport. Unlike passive transport that uses kinetic energy to move molecules against a gradient, active transport uses cellular energy to move them.

In primary active transport there is no direct coupling of ATP whereas in secondary active transport it relies upon the electrochemical potential difference which is created by pumping ions in and out of the cell. The energy which is derived from pumping of protons across the cell membrane is frequently used as the source of energy in secondary active transport.