What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Active Transport?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between primary and secondary active transport lies in the source of energy used to transport molecules against their concentration gradient across cell membranes. Here are the main differences between the two types of active transport:
- Primary Active Transport:
- Uses energy derived directly from the breakdown of ATP.
- Transports a single molecule or more than one substance.
- Examples include the sodium-potassium pump and calcium pump in muscles.
- Secondary Active Transport:
- Uses energy stored in the concentration gradients of ions.
- Involves the transport of two types of molecules simultaneously.
- Examples include the glucose-sodium pump and sodium-potassium pump.
In summary, primary active transport directly uses ATP as an energy source to move molecules against their gradient, while secondary active transport uses the energy stored in the concentration gradients of ions, typically generated by primary active transport, to move two types of molecules simultaneously.
Comparative Table: Primary vs Secondary Active Transport
Here is a table summarizing the differences between primary and secondary active transport:
| Feature | Primary Active Transport | Secondary Active Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Source | Uses energy generated from ATP | Uses energy from the concentration gradient of driving ions |
| Number of Molecules Transported | A single molecule is transported | Two types of molecules are transported simultaneously |
| Number of Substances Transported | May transport one or more substances | Must transport more than one substance |
| Types of Transmembrane Proteins Used | Transmembrane proteins are specific to the ion transported through them | Both antiporters and symporters are used in secondary active transport |
| Types of Molecules Transported | Ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium are transported across cell membrane | Ions like sodium act as the driving molecules |
| Examples | Sodium-potassium pump, calcium pump in muscles | Glucose-sodium pump, sodium-potassium pump |
Primary active transport directly uses ATP as an energy source to move molecules across a membrane against their gradient. In contrast, secondary active transport uses the energy from another chemical gradient that was itself created by primary active transport. This process is also known as co-transport and involves the simultaneous transport of two molecules, one going against its concentration gradient and the other going with it.
- Active Transport vs Passive Transport
- Diffusion vs Active Transport
- Active Transport vs Facilitated Diffusion
- Osmosis vs Active Transport
- Primary vs Secondary Cells
- Active Transport vs Group Translocation
- Primary vs Secondary Peristalsis
- Primary vs Secondary Cell Culture
- Primary vs Secondary Lysosomes
- Primary vs Secondary Standard Solution
- Active vs Passive Diffusion
- Primary vs Secondary Antibody
- Primary vs Secondary Minerals
- Primary vs Secondary Kinetic Isotope Effect
- Primary vs Secondary Metabolites
- Primary vs Secondary Tuberculosis
- Primary vs Secondary Hemostasis
- Symport vs Antiport
- Primary vs Secondary Memory