Insulin allows glucose to enter body cells where it is used for energy.

Exercise has been shown to improve memory by allowing glucose to be quickly absorbed by muscles.

This is thought to be because people can metabolize glucose better, never allowing glucose to spike in blood concentration.

When glucose binds to GLUT-1, it stimulates a conformational change, allowing glucose to be released on the opposite side of the membrane (4,12).

Special transporter proteins in cell membranes allow glucose from the blood to enter a cell.

When the mechanisms fail in a way that allows glucose to rise to abnormal levels, hyperglycemia is the result.

Roughly 23 million Americans are believed to have the most common Type 2 diabetes; patients' bodies either do not produce enough insulin or do not use it efficiently, allowing excess sugar, or glucose, to accumulate in the blood.

Insulin allows glucose to be taken up and used by insulin-dependent tissues.

The body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it efficiently, allowing excess sugar, or glucose, to accumulate in the blood.

Thus, glucokinase allows glucose to be converted into glycogen, fatty acids, and cholesterol even as G6P accumulates in hepatocytes.