Question

Discuss essential biological functions that prokaryotic organisms and eukaryotic organisms are able to perform using passive and active transport.

Answer 1

passive transport - transport of molecules without the use of ATP and along the concentration gradient.

active transport - transport of molecules with the use of ATP and against the concentration gradient.

diffusion is a passive process and is very crucial especially for unicellular organisms like bacteria which have only single cell in their body. diffusion is the only mechanism of transport in prokaryotic organisms.

prokaryotes also use active transport when they have to compete for the limited nutrients and hence, it is very important for their survival.

the essential biological functions by using active and passive transport are - electrochemical gradient - for movement of ions across membranes and signal transduction process.

endocytosis - is a means of active transport.