Facts about Glucose
Low levels of insulin in this state also mean that the entry of glucose into muscle and adipose cells decreases, so that these cells switch to the use of non-carbohydrate fuels.
Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar), which is characteristic of diabetes mellitus, indicates an overproduction of glucose by the liver cells accompanied by an inability of other cells to utilize glucose.
When blood glucose levels fall (e.g., several hours after a meal), glucagon and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) retrieve glucose from its storage form as glycogen in liver and muscle tissue.
Glucose and its metabolites can also be mobilized when carbon skeletons are needed.
Specifically, the hormone insulin directs the flow of glucose from the blood into liver, muscle, and adipose (fat storage) cells.
That is, glucose also participates in the synthesis of complex molecules (anabolism) in addition to its role in the catabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller components.
Cells, nonetheless, do accumulate glucose as an enzyme chemically modifies the glucose molecule by the addition of a phosphate group (phosphorylation).
Polymers of glucose may also be bound to proteins (to form glycoproteins) or lipids (to form glycolipids).
Low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) can result in impaired functioning of the central nervous system, which may manifest itself in dizziness, speech problems, or even loss of consciousness.
When chemical energy is needed, glucose is oxidized to pyruvate through a process known as glycolysis, which is the energy source for certain organisms called obligate anaerobes that cannot utilize oxygen for metabolism.
The natural form of glucose (D-glucose) is also referred to as dextrose, especially in the food industry.
The concentration of blood glucose is mainly regulated through the action of hormones.
Many crops can be used as sources of starch in the commercial production of glucose, including maize, rice, wheat, potato, cassava, arrowroot, and sago.
When the organism has an abundant supply of ATP and glucose, then it can synthesize one or more of the common glucose polymers (polysaccharides): glycogen for animals and starch and cellulose for plants.
Glucose (Glc) is a monosaccharide (or simple sugar) with the chemical formula C6H12O6.
Milk cows, for example, graze on grass as a source of cellulose, which they break down to glucose using their four-chambered stomachs.
Glucose is produced commercially through the breakdown of starch in an enzyme-catalyzed process called hydrolysis (a chemical reaction in which a molecule is split into two parts through the addition of water).
The low tendency of glucose, in comparison to other hexose sugars, to non-specifically react with the amino groups of proteins might explain its importance to advanced life.
The Glycemic Index measures the speed at which particular carbohydrates are converted into glucose in the body.
Glucose has four optic centers, which means that in theory glucose can have (4І-1) = 15 optical stereoisomers.
When glucose exists in cyclic form, the functional group is not free, making the molecule less reactive.
The liver is a major control site of blood glucose levels, with the ability to respond to hormonal signals that indicate either reduced or elevated blood glucose levels.
One of the most important functions of the liver is to produce glucose for circulation.
All major dietary carbohydrates contain glucose, either as their only building block, or in combination with another monosaccharide, as in sucrose (“table sugar”) and lactose, the primary sugar found in milk.
Glucose is also a major starting point for cellular respiration, in which the chemical bonds of energy-rich molecules such as glucose are converted into energy usable for life processes.
The resulting glucose solution is then purified by filtration and concentrated in a multiple-effect evaporator.
Glucose, which has six carbon atoms (i.e., it is a hexose sugar) and contains an aldehyde group (-CHO), is thus referred to as an aldohexose.
The low tendency of glucose, in comparison to other hexose sugars, to non-specifically react with the amino groups of proteins might explain its importance to advanced life.