Passive Transport:

Diffusion: the (the overall, generalized) net movement of molecules from areas
of high concentration to areas of low concentration to reach equilibrium (when the
molecules are spread out evenly throughout space). But there is still random movement
upon reaching equilibrium, hence the 'net' movement, as the random movement of
particles is not stopped by the act of diffusing.

Osmosis: The diffusion of water molecules across a membrane. From higher

water potential to low water potential.
Water potential is the general ability for water molecules to move freely. If a solute is
added to water, water molecules will be attracted to solute particles (dissolve), these
surrounding water molecules are 'trapped' as they are kept from moving freely. As the
solute concentration rises, the water potential will decrease.
In Water without solutes, the water potential = 1
In Water with solutes, the water potential < 1
Water potential will always go from high to low.

Solutes however, will always travel from areas of low concentration to areas of high
concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion: Where molecules travel across membranes through a

special carrier protein with a central channel which acts as a 'selective corridor'.
Where molecules diffuse across membranes with the help of transport proteins.
These channel proteins only allow one type of chemical substance to pass at any time
(this may change from time to time based under the control of the membrane). It is used
more by charged particles (ions), as ions usually have difficulty traveling through the
hydrophobic tails of phospholipids.

Active Transport:
when substances move against the concentration gradient. This process requires
energy (from ATP).

Endocytosis (i.e. when prokaryotes ingest external food): Where a substance

gains entry (is absorbed) into a cell without passing through the cell membrane. This is
done when the substance comes in contact with the membrane layer, and is
consequentially wrapped by the section of the membrane layer, resulting in the region of
membrane being pulled off in an inward direction, thus entering the cell. This wrapped
sphere of external fluid/solids is called a vesicle.

Exocytosis (for secretory cells: i.e. excreting proteins/removing excess water):

Secretion of liquids (solids may also be trapped within the vesicle). This happens when
the vesicle (which is essentially part of the plasma membrane layer folded into a sphere)
comes in contact with the cell's plasma membrane, combining with it; forcing its
wrapped contents outwards to the external.

** Both endocytosis and exocytosis are carried out by proteins, and are fueled by energy
from ATP.
**The membrane of prokaryotic cells are incapable of performing endocytosis and
exocytosis.
** Vesicles are also used to transport substances around the cell. i.e. vesicles that bud
off the cisternae of rER, carrying the produced protein to fuse with the cisternae of the
Golgi apparatus to be processed into functional protein.