active transport
C1/C2Technical/Scientific; occasionally used in business/logistics metaphorically.
Definition
Meaning
A biological process where cells use energy to move substances (e.g., ions, molecules) across a membrane against their concentration gradient.
More broadly, the term can be used metaphorically in logistics or business to describe a system where energy or resources are deliberately expended to move goods or information, as opposed to passive distribution.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun, always used as a singular uncountable concept in its primary sense. The "active" denotes energy expenditure (typically ATP), distinguishing it from passive diffusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling follows regional norms (e.g., 'transport' in UK, 'transportation' is a more common general term in US, but 'active transport' remains the fixed term in biology).
Connotations
Purely scientific/technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Exclusively used in scientific/educational contexts with equal frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Active transport of [substance] (e.g., ions)Active transport occurs/requires...The process of active transportVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The cell's active transport system works like a busy port, using energy to move cargo upstream.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, metaphorical: 'Our new logistics network uses an active transport model, investing more in fuel for guaranteed priority delivery.'
Academic
Primary context: 'The paper examines the role of ATPase in active transport across the renal tubule.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in biology, biochemistry, physiology, and related life sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cell actively transports potassium ions inward.
- This protein actively transports sucrose.
American English
- The pump actively transports sodium out of the cell.
- They engineered bacteria that actively transport the pollutant.
adverb
British English
- The substance was transported actively across the membrane.
American English
- Materials are moved actively against the concentration gradient.
adjective
British English
- The active-transport mechanism was impaired.
- Active-transport pathways are energy-intensive.
American English
- The active-transport system is crucial for nerve function.
- We studied active-transport proteins.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cells use active transport to get nutrients.
- Active transport needs energy from the cell.
- Unlike diffusion, active transport requires the cell to expend energy, often in the form of ATP.
- The sodium-potassium pump is a classic example of active transport in animal cells.
- The researchers elucidated the molecular mechanism underpinning the active transport of auxin in plant tissues.
- Pharmacological inhibition of active transport severely disrupted the ion homeostasis of the neuron.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ACTIVE TRANSPORT = ATP Is Very Important For Energetic Transport (Against the flow).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PUMP or an ESCALATOR going upwards against the natural flow; requires work/energy.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'активный транспорт' meaning 'public transport' (автобусы). In Russian biology, it is 'активный транспорт' but the context makes it clear it's cellular, not vehicular.
- The word 'active' here means 'requiring energy', not 'energetic' or 'busy'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'active transport' to refer to any fast transport (e.g., express delivery).
- Confusing it with 'facilitated diffusion' (which is passive).
- Treating it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an active transport').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a KEY characteristic of active transport?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In science, 'active' specifically refers to the use of cellular energy (ATP), not speed. It can be a slow process.
It's like using a fuel-powered water pump to move water from a low ground well up to a high tank, against gravity. The pump (protein) uses fuel (ATP) to do the work.
Active transport requires cellular energy (ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient (uphill). Passive transport moves substances down their concentration gradient (downhill) without cellular energy.
Its primary and almost exclusive use is in the life sciences. In logistics or business, it might be used as a deliberate metaphor by someone with a science background, but it's not a standard term.