Transport is the movement of substances such as nutrients, gases, and waste products within an organism. This process is essential for the survival of living organisms as it allows for the distribution of necessary materials throughout the body and the removal of waste products.
Types of Transport
There are two main types of transport in living organisms:
Passive Transport: This type of transport does not require energy and relies on the natural movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are examples of passive transport processes.
Active Transport: Active transport requires energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and moves molecules against their concentration gradient, from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This process is essential for the uptake of nutrients and the removal of waste products.
Transport in Plants
In plants, transport occurs through specialized tissues:
Xylem: Responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Phloem: Transports the products of photosynthesis, such as sugars, from the leaves to the rest of the plant.
From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
Gather and synthesize information to explain how prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in structure and function, including the methods of asexual and sexual reproduction.