What is the outcome of active transport across a plasma membrane?

Active transport is a biological process that involves the movement of molecules across a plasma membrane against their concentration gradient, meaning they move from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration. This process is crucial in maintaining cellular function and homeostasis, especially for ions and nutrients that cells need to regulate.

The mechanism of active transport requires energy, typically derived from ATP. This energy expenditure is necessary because the movement is not spontaneous; rather, it works against the natural diffusion tendency of molecules, which is to move from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. Thus, in active transport, molecules specifically flow from low to high concentration, facilitating the accumulation of substances that are vital for the cell's operation.