What is the mechanism of glucose transport across cell membranes?

The mechanism of glucose transport across cell membranes is facilitated passive transport. This process utilizes specific transporter proteins, known as glucose transporters (GLUT), that allow glucose to move across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

Facilitated passive transport occurs because glucose cannot freely diffuse across the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane due to its polar nature and larger molecular size. Instead, these transporter proteins provide a pathway for glucose to enter the cell, utilizing the concentration gradient – meaning glucose moves from an area of higher concentration outside the cell to an area of lower concentration inside the cell.

This transport mechanism is crucial because glucose serves as a primary energy source for cells. By effectively utilizing facilitated passive transport, the cell can efficiently take up glucose when it is available in the extracellular environment, ensuring that it has the necessary energy to support various cellular functions.

In contrast, active transport would require energy, typically in the form of ATP, to move substances against their concentration gradient, which is not the case for glucose transport in this context. Simple diffusion refers to the passive movement of small, non-polar molecules directly through the membrane, which does not apply to glucose. Lastly, osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water across a membrane and is not