3.3

Active transport

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 3: Movement into and out of cells  · 10 flashcards

Active transport is topic 3.3 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 3 — Movement into and out of cells , alongside Diffusion and Osmosis.  In one line: Active transport is the movement of particles across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, against the concentration gradient. This process requires energy, typically from respiration (ATP).

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).  It is a Supplement (Extended-tier) topic, so it appears only on the Extended-tier papers.

The deck below contains 10 flashcards — 1 definition, 4 key concepts, 1 process card, 3 application cards and 1 identification card — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

Active transport

Active transport is the movement of particles across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, against the concentration gradient. This process requires energy, typically from respiration (ATP).

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe active transport as the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration (i.e. against a concentration gradient), using energy from respiration
  2. Explain Explain the importance of active transport as a process for movement of molecules or ions across membranes, including ion uptake by root hairs Supplement
  3. State State that protein carriers move molecules or ions across a membrane during active transport Supplement
Definition Flip

Define active transport.

Answer Flip

Active transport is the movement of particles across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, against the concentration gradient. This process requires energy, typically from respiration (ATP).

Key Concept Flip

What is the source of energy for active transport?

Answer Flip

The energy for active transport comes from respiration, which produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is then used to power the protein carriers that move molecules or ions against their concentration gradient.

Key Concept Flip

In what direction along a concentration gradient does active transport move particles?

Answer Flip

Active transport moves particles *against* their concentration gradient, from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration. This is the opposite of passive transport processes like diffusion.

Key Concept Flip

What type of molecule in the cell membrane is directly involved in active transport?

Answer Flip

Protein carriers (or carrier proteins) within the cell membrane are directly involved in active transport. These proteins bind to specific molecules or ions and facilitate their movement across the membrane using energy.

Key Concept Flip

Why is active transport important for root hair cells in plants?

Answer Flip

Active transport allows root hair cells to absorb mineral ions (like nitrates and phosphates) from the soil, even when the concentration of these ions is lower in the soil than in the root hair cell. This is essential for plant growth.

Key Concept Flip

Describe how active transport is used in the human body.

Answer Flip

Active transport is used in the small intestine to absorb glucose and amino acids, even when their concentration is lower in the gut than in the blood. This ensures all available nutrients are absorbed.

Key Concept Flip

What would happen to ion uptake by root hairs if a plant's respiration was inhibited?

Answer Flip

If respiration was inhibited, the plant would produce less ATP. Since active transport requires ATP, the uptake of ions by root hairs would decrease significantly, potentially harming the plant's growth and health.

Key Concept Flip

Explain the difference between active transport and diffusion.

Answer Flip

Active transport moves substances against a concentration gradient and requires energy (ATP), while diffusion moves substances down a concentration gradient and does not require energy. Diffusion is a passive process, while active transport is an active process.

Key Concept Flip

Give an example of a substance actively transported across a membrane in animal cells.

Answer Flip

Sodium ions are actively transported out of nerve cells after an action potential to restore the resting membrane potential. Potassium ions are actively transported into the nerve cell at the same time.

Key Concept Flip

Explain how protein carriers facilitate active transport.

Answer Flip

Protein carriers have specific binding sites for the molecules or ions they transport. When the molecule binds, the protein changes shape, using energy from ATP, to move the molecule across the membrane and release it on the other side.

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3.2 Osmosis 4.1 Biological molecules

Key Questions: Active transport

Define active transport.

Active transport is the movement of particles across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, against the concentration gradient. This process requires energy, typically from respiration (ATP).

More topics in Unit 3 — Movement into and out of cells

Active transport sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

3.1 Diffusion

10 flashcards
3.2 Osmosis

12 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

active transport energy ATP against concentration gradient carrier protein root hair mineral ion glucose absorption

Key terms covered in this Active transport deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

Active transport

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How to study this Active transport deck

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