A cell goes through active transport in order to move molecules across the membrane against a gradient. This is key because the concentration of most molecules inside a cell is different than the      concentration of molecules in the surrounding environment. The plasma      membrane separates the internal environment of the cell from the fluid      bathing the cell and regulates the flow of molecules both into and out of      the cell. The second law of thermodynamics states that molecules, whether      in the gas or liquid state, will move spontaneously from an area of higher      concentration to an area of lower concentration or down their       concentration gradient. 
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