The phosphate transport system in bacteria imports phosphate into the cell even when the concentration of phosphate outside the cell is much lower than the cytoplasmic phosphate concentration. Phosphate import depends on a pH gradient across the membranemore acidic outside the cell than inside the cell. In this bacterial cell, phosphate transport is an example of . The phosphate transport system in bacteria imports phosphate into the cell even when the concentration of phosphate outside the cell is much lower than the cytoplasmic phosphate concentration. Phosphate import depends on a pH gradient across the membranemore acidic outside the cell than inside the cell. In this bacterial cell, phosphate transport is an example of . facilitated diffusion passive diffusion cotransport active transport