Are exocytosis and endocytosis examples of active or passive transport?
Exocytosis and endocytosis are examples of active transport. Here are the key points that support this:
- Both processes require energy, often in the form of ATP, to move molecules against their concentration gradient or to engulf and release large substances that cannot pass through the cell membrane by diffusion234.
- Endocytosis involves the cell membrane engulfing substances to bring them into the cell, a process that needs energy to form and transport vesicles145.
- Exocytosis involves the fusion of vesicles with the cell membrane to release substances outside the cell, which also requires energy145.
These processes are distinct from passive transport, which does not require energy and involves the movement of molecules down their concentration gradient.