Airo International Research Journal
Volume III, ISSN : 2320-3714
March, 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UPDATES ON THE PROPERTIES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GLUCOSE IN
DAILY LIFE
Santosh Kumar Dakhle
Research Scholar: CMJ University, Shillong, Meghalaya
Abstract
Glucose is such a small and simple molecule, yet it plays a major role in our life. Glucose is important
not only to the human beings, but also to other animals, plants and microbes as well. Glucose has several
roles to play.
Fuel-molecule
The most important role of glucose is to act as a
fuel molecule. Why do we need fuel molecules?
There are several activities taking place in the
body which require the input of energy. For
example, any physical activity involves the use
of muscles. Muscles work through contraction
and this involves the expenditure of energy.
Thus, there are several processes which require
energy and since fuel molecules which supply
this energy may not always be available, energy
must be released from the fuel molecules and
then conserved.
The conserved energy is utilized when the need
arises.
How is the energy conserved?
The energy released from fuel molecules upon
oxidation is conserved in the form of molecules.
These molecules are called high energy
compounds. The best example for a high energy
compound is adenosine triphophate (ATP). ATP
is called the universal energy donor because of
its ability to provide energy for reactions and
processes taking place in animals, plants and
microbes. Energy is released by high energy
compounds when they are broken down.
Why is glucose special?All the cells in the body
are capable of utilizing glucose to conserve
energy. That sets it apart from other fuel
molecules. Other major molecules used by the
body include fats, amino acids and ketones.
These molecules are also important in a way.
But, all of these molecules are not used by all
the cells in the body and that makes glucose
special.
he human body requires glucose for some of its
most important functions. This simple sugar
provides the energy needed to perform
specialized processes such as digestion and
cellular respiration. Problems with the amount of
glucose in the blood result in serious
complications that could lead to coma or even
death if not corrected quickly.
Chemical Composition
Glucose contains six atoms of carbon, 12 atoms
of hydrogen and six atoms of oxygen, giving it a
chemical formula of C6H12O6. Glucose found
Updates On The Properties And Implementation Of Glucose In Daily Life
in the blood and cells of humans consists of
molecules arranged in the shape of a hexagon.
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hunger, fatigue, frequent urination and tingling
in the feet.
Misconceptions
Function
Glucose serves as the primary energy source for
the brain and is also a source of energy for cells
throughout the body. This energy helps the cells
carry out nerve cell conduction, muscle cell
contraction, active transport and the production
of chemical substances. When you eat foods that
contain starches, enzymes from the saliva and
pancreatic juices break them into maltose
molecules. The small intestine makes glucose
molecules by splitting the maltose. The
bloodstream then carries the glucose to the liver
for storage or for use as an energy source.
Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels
fall below normal. Normal fasting blood glucose
levels range from 70 to 99 mg/dL, according to
the University of Michigan Health System. Low
blood sugar levels cause confusion, anxiety,
weakness, hunger, dizziness, shakiness and
difficulty speaking. Hyperglycemia occurs when
blood glucose levels rise above normal. This
condition causes frequent urination, excessive
thirst and high levels of glucose in the blood and
urine.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common disorders
associated with glucose. In people without
diabetes, a hormone called insulin carries
glucose from food into the cells of the body.
People with diabetes do not use insulin properly
or do not make enough insulin in the pancreas.
As a result, the glucose remains in the
bloodstream instead of entering the cells,
causing high blood glucose levels. Signs of
diabetes include excessive thirst, unintended
weight loss, dry skin, blurry eyesight, excessive
Some people believe that glucose levels change
only in response to eating sugary snacks and
drinks. Because the body makes glucose from
the maltose in food, any food that contains
carbohydrates affects blood sugar levels. These
foods include fruits, vegetables, breads and
pasta. Physical activity and the use of diabetes
medications also affect the amount of glucose in
the bloodstream.
Warning
Because glucose has so many important
functions in the body, discuss any concerns
about your glucose levels with a doctor.
Restrictive diets that drastically reduce the
consumption of carbohydrates can lead to
serious complications. If you have diabetes,
carefully follow your diet, exercise and
medication plans. Do not stop taking your
medication or change the amount of insulin you
take without supervision by a physician.
Early control of blood glucose is essential
to prevention and control of coronary
heart disease.”71
As people age, their fasting glucose levels
usually increase as their health declines.
Standard laboratory reference ranges allow an
upper-limit of fasting glucose of 99 mg/dL. Yet
the most effective anti-aging therapy—caloric
restriction—lowers fasting glucose levels to
the 70-85 mg/dL range.
Recent studies indicate that keeping fasting
glucose levels in the range of 70-85 mg/dL and
not allowing after-meal glucose levels to spike
higher than 40 mg/dL over your fasting value,
favorably influences our longevity genes.72
Updates On The Properties And Implementation Of Glucose In Daily Life
The take-home lesson is that one can slash
their risks of age-related diseases and
References
possibly slow their rate of aging by tightly
controlling blood glucose levels.
A.V.N. Chemistry Text
Chromatographic testing for the various
solutionD.C. Voyee. Open Chemistry: Review
21
http://www.livestrong.com/article/133891-theimportance-glucose
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