Active transport — Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science

Active transport moves particles against a concentration gradient using energy from respiration and protein carriers.

Spec B3.3

Supplement

Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

Movement into and out of cells, subtopic 3 of 3

Revision notes

1 short note, in the order of the specification. Each one in short:

Active transport
Active transport moves particles through a cell membrane from a lower to a higher concentration, against the gradient, using energy from respiration.

4 exam-style questions (10 marks), each with its mark scheme.

4 cards: flip them, mark what you knew, and practise the rest.

The whole of movement into and out of cells on one page, so you can see where this subtopic fits.

Free PDFs to print or save.

Supplement Define active transport.
Show answer
The movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration (i.e. against a concentration gradient), using energy from respiration.
Supplement Where does the energy for active transport come from?
Show answer
Respiration.
Supplement Give an example of active transport in plants.
Show answer
Ion uptake by root hairs.

Written and checked against the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) specification · Updated October 2026