Which type of transport is best for moving glucose across the cell membrane?

Facilitated diffusion is the process that is best suited for moving glucose across the cell membrane due to its specific transport mechanisms. Glucose is a polar molecule and cannot easily pass through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane by simple diffusion. Instead, it requires assistance from carrier proteins, which facilitate its movement down its concentration gradient without requiring energy, making it an effective method for glucose transport.

Facilitated diffusion involves specific transport proteins that bind to glucose molecules and undergo a conformational change, allowing the glucose to move from an area of higher concentration outside the cell to an area of lower concentration inside the cell. This is essential for cells to efficiently take in glucose, which is crucial for energy production.

Other forms of transport like simple diffusion would not be effective for glucose due to its polarity, while active transport would require ATP to move glucose against its concentration gradient, which is not necessary when glucose is transported via facilitated diffusion. Bulk transport, such as endocytosis, is more suitable for larger molecules or particles but is not the mechanism used for glucose transport under normal physiological conditions.