Comparison of Different Transport Processes

Comparing the Three Transport Mechanisms

Putting simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion and active transport side by side makes their similarities and differences easy to see. Facilitated diffusion and active transport share several features simply because both depend on membrane proteins — both are highly selective, both saturate, and both are sensitive to inhibitors. Simple diffusion needs none of that machinery, which is also why it can never work uphill or need energy.