Are endocytosis and exocytosis examples of passive or active transport in cells?

• A. Passive transport
• B. Facilitated diffusion
• C. Active transport
• D. Simple diffusion

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions of passive and active transport: Passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport requires energy (usually in the form of ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient.
2. Review the processes of endocytosis and exocytosis: Endocytosis involves the cell engulfing materials into vesicles, while exocytosis involves the release of materials from vesicles to the outside of the cell.
3. Recognize that both endocytosis and exocytosis require energy because they involve the movement of large molecules or particles and the restructuring of the cell membrane, which are energy-intensive processes.
4. Compare these processes to passive transport mechanisms like simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion: Passive transport mechanisms do not require energy and rely on the natural movement of molecules down their concentration gradient.
5. Conclude that endocytosis and exocytosis are examples of active transport because they require energy input to move materials in and out of the cell, regardless of the concentration gradient.