Active transport

• • Active transport is the movement of ions from a low to high concentration across a concentration gradient
• • Roots are covered by millions of hairs
  • Root hairs increase the surface area of the plant to absorb water and mineral ions from the soil
  • Plants need mineral ions for healthy growth
  • Root hair cells can’t use diffusion because the concentration of minerals is higher in the root hair cells than in the soil
• • Active transport is used in the gut where there is a high concentration of nutrients in the blood and a low concentration in the gut
  • Sometimes there is a lower concentration of nutrients in the gut than in the blood - the concentration gradient is the wrong way
  • Glucose is taken into the bloodstream when its concentration in the blood is higher than in the gut
  • Glucose can be transported to cells where it is used for respiration