Chemical Differences Between Chemical Reactions And Passive Transport

Secondly, chemical reactions are important in active transport. Active transport is a means by which molecules can pass from one side of a plasma membrane to another. It differs from passive transport in that it requires energy to occur. This is because while passive transport moves particles with the concentration gradient, active transport moves them against the gradient. The energy needed is usually provided in the form of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), whose molecular structure can be seen below in figure 2.

Energy is extracted from ATP by the chemical reaction of hydrolysis. As mentioned earlier, hydrolysis is the reverse reaction of dehydration synthesis. When water is added to ATP, the bond between the gamma phosphate group and beta
phosphate group (shown left) is broken. This separates ATP into ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy.

The energy that is released from the hydrolysis of ATP is used by transport proteins to power the pumping of different molecules across the membrane. Without this simple yet powerful chemical reaction, active transport could not occur. This would mean that many molecules would not be able to cross plasma membranes such as the cell membrane. Essential molecules would not be able to enter or exit the cell. As a result, normal biological processes could not occur and we would die. Active transport is a clear indicator that chemical reactions like hydrolysis are very important.