Are endocytosis and exocytosis forms of passive or active transport? ______________________________________________

6. Give a scenario where a cell may need to perform a form of endocytosis.
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7. Give a scenario where a cell may need to perform a form of exocytosis.
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1 answer

  1. Endocytosis and exocytosis are both forms of active transport. This is because they require cellular energy (usually in the form of ATP) to move molecules against their concentration gradient or to transport large particles across the cell membrane.

  2. A scenario where a cell may need to perform a form of endocytosis is during the uptake of nutrients. For example, a white blood cell, such as a macrophage, may need to perform phagocytosis to engulf and digest bacteria. In this case, the macrophage extends its membrane around the bacterium, forming a vesicle that is then brought into the cell for degradation.

  3. A scenario where a cell may need to perform a form of exocytosis is during the secretion of hormones. For instance, pancreatic cells release insulin via exocytosis in response to high blood sugar levels. The insulin is packaged in vesicles and, upon fusion with the plasma membrane, is released into the bloodstream to help regulate glucose levels.