Diffusion vs. Facilitated Diffusion-Passive & Assisted Movement
October 3, 2023 
written by Sidra Batool
written by Sidra BatoolThe main difference between diffusion and facilitated diffusion is that diffusion is the passive movement of small, non-polar molecules across a membrane without the involvement of transport proteins, while facilitated diffusion involves the passive transport of polar and large molecules through integral membrane proteins (such as channels or carriers).
Diffusion vs Facilitated Diffusion
Here are the key differences between diffusion and facilitated diffusion:
| Characteristic | Diffusion | Facilitated Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Transport | Passive transport | Passive transport |
| Transported Molecules | Small, non-polar molecules | Polar and large molecules |
| Transport Proteins | Not involved | Integral membrane proteins (e.g., channels or carriers) |
| Energy Requirement | No energy input required | No energy input required |
| Rate of Transport | Slower | Faster |
| Selectivity | Non-selective (random movement) | Selective (based on specific proteins) |
| Saturation | Rarely saturates (rate increases linearly with concentration gradient) | Can saturate (limited by the number of transport proteins) |
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