In: Biology
The transport of the substances across the membrane is generally accomplished by two types of forces called passive and active forces. The passive forces do not require energy to transport the substances across the cell.
In facilitated diffusion a carrier facilitates the transport of a specific substance across the membrane downhill concentration from high to low. In this process the carrier molecules undergo spontaneous changes in their shape due to influence of thermal energy. Therefore, in facilitated diffusion, the word facilitated means carrier assisted diffusion.