Which one among the following statements about facilitated transport in plants is correct?

Facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, is a type of passive transport that allows molecules or ions to move across a biological membrane down their concentration gradient [1]. Unlike simple diffusion, which occurs unassisted, facilitated transport requires the assistance of specific transmembrane integral proteins, such as carrier proteins or channel proteins [1]. These proteins facilitate the movement of polar molecules and large ions that cannot easily dissolve in the phospholipid bilayer. While it uses proteins like active transport does, it is fundamentally different because it does not require chemical energy (ATP) [1]. Water movement (osmosis) is also a form of passive transport, often facilitated by aquaporin channels, rather than active transport [2]. Therefore, the statement that facilitated transport requires the assistance of carrier proteins is the only correct option among the choices provided.

Sources

1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitated_diffusion
2. [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9847/