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Facilitated Diffusion

Author: Nathan Lampson

 

Facilitated diffusion is a method cells use in order to move molecules that cannot readily diffuse across the cell membrane.

Proteins embedded in the cell membrane help molecules diffuse down a concentration gradient from a high concentration to a low concentration.

Protein channels provide a tunnel for molecules to move through the cell membrane.

Facilitated Diffusion is considered passive transport because it requires no energy to occur.

 

Example:

Example substances that use facilitated diffusion in order to cross  cell membranes:

sugars, amino acids, ions

Facilitated DIffusion