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Topic Active transport
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 5 years (2018–2023), peaking in 2018.
Key insights
- Most tested in CAPF — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2018
- Recurs across 3 years (2018–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2018 → CDS 2019 → GEO 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2023
The movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use of energy is known as
- A active transport ✓
- B passive transport
- C water potential gradient
- D solute loss
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CDS2019
Which one of the following is active transport ?
- A It is the movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use of energy from respiration.
- B It is the movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient without the use of energy.
- C It is the movement of a substance against a diffusion gradient with the use of energy from photosynthesis. ✓
- D It is the movement of a substance along a diffusion gradient with the use of energy from respiration.
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CAPF2018
Which one of the following statements about transport mechanism in plants is correct?
- A Diffusion of ions and small molecules across cell membrane requires energy.
- B Active transport of ions and small molecules across cell membrane against concentration gradient requires energy. ✓
- C Cells conserve energy and no energy is required for transport of ions and small molecules against concentration gradient.
- D Cells do not transport ions across their membrane as these are charged molecules.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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