Glucose Flashcards
What is the chemical formula for glucose?
C6H12O6, which is a carbohydrate
Why is glucose important to the CNS?
Because the central nervous system as well as RBC’s require glucose for their energy needs and without it they die
What is a monosaccharide?
A single unit sugar
What is hexose?
Simple sugars whose molecules contain six carbon atoms
Why is the liver important in reference to glucose?
It synthesizes, stores, converts and releases glucose
What is the excess glucose stored as in the liver?
Glycogen
What organ releases insulin?
The pancreas
What hormones control the concentration of glucose?
Insulin and glucagon; insulin lowers BG levels while glucagon elevates it
How is glucose metabolized?
Via glycolysis followed by the TCA cycle (aka krebs cycle)
How many glucose atoms are produced as a result of glycolysis?
It produces 4 total, but 2 are eliminated, leaving a net gain of 2 glucose atoms
How many ATP atoms are produced at the conclusion of the TCA cycle?
36 ATP for every glucose molecule
What is required for the complete oxidation of glucose?
Because it is an aerobic response, it requires oxygen
What by-products are released by the oxidation of glucose?
- CO2, H2O, ATP, and heat
- The heat produced helps maintain body temperature
What is fermentation of glucose?
Anaerobic metabolism that can produce ATP if the body is experiencing hypoxia
Is fermentation an effective way to produce ATP?
It is less effective than glycolysis because it only produces 4 ATP for every glucose molecule
Where is the highest concentration of glycogen stored?
In the liver, but because muscle tissue has a greater mass, there is more glycogen contained within it
What cells produce, monitor and control glucose?
Beta cells, which are created in the endocrine portion of the pancreas
What cells within the islets of langerhaans produce glucagon?
Alpha cells
What do the delta cells within the pancreatic islets produce?
Somatostatin, which regulates insulin and glucagon
What cell is the only cell in the body that does NOT require insulin to function?
Beta cells
At what concentration would a beta cell be triggered to release insulin?
When the blood glucose concentration exceeds 110 mg/dl
At what concentration is insulin synthesis and concentration inhibited?
When the blood glucose concentration falls between 60 mg/dl
What is euglycemia?
Normal concentration of glucose in the blood
How can euglycemia be maintained?
Exogenously, which is from outside the body, mainly through diet; or exogenously which is inside the body derived from the liver
