Which process explains the movement of glucose into a cell with the help of a transport protein but without energy?

Facilitated diffusion is the process that describes how glucose moves into a cell with the assistance of a transport protein and without the expenditure of energy. In this process, glucose molecules bind to specific transport proteins embedded in the cell membrane, which then change shape to allow the glucose to pass through. This movement occurs along the concentration gradient, meaning glucose moves from an area of higher concentration outside the cell to an area of lower concentration inside the cell.

Since facilitated diffusion relies on the natural tendency of molecules to move toward equilibrium, no energy is required for this transport. This distinguishes it from active transport, which would use energy to move substances against their concentration gradient. Endocytosis involves engulfing substances and requires energy, while osmosis pertains specifically to the movement of water across a membrane and is not applicable to glucose transport. Thus, facilitated diffusion accurately describes the energy-free transport of glucose into cells via specific proteins.