bio keywords

Phospholipid bilayer

The double layer that makes up the cell membrane. It stops large or polar molecules like glucose from passing through on their own.

. Polar molecule
→

A molecule with charged areas, like glucose. Because of this, it cannot pass through the cell membrane by itself.

Facilitated diffusion
→

A type of passive transport where molecules move through a protein channel to cross the membrane. No energy is needed.

GLUT4

A glucose transporter found in muscle and fat cells. It only becomes active when insulin is present and moves to the cell membrane.

Vesicle
→

Small sacs inside cells that store GLUT4 proteins. These vesicles move to the membrane when insulin is detected.

Insulin

→ A hormone that helps lower blood glucose levels. It signals cells to take in glucose.

Insulin receptor

→ A protein on the cell surface that detects insulin and starts a response inside the cell.

. Signal transduction
→

A chain reaction inside the cell triggered by a signal (like insulin) that causes a specific response, such as moving GLUT4 to the membrane..

Glucose uptake
→

The process of glucose moving from the blood into cells, usually through GLUT proteins.

. Homeostasis

→ Keeping internal conditions stable, like maintaining a steady blood glucose level.

Hyperglycemia
→

A condition where blood glucose is too high, often caused by a lack of insulin or insulin response.

. GLUT Proteins
→

Special transport proteins that help glucose enter cells. Different cells use different types of GLUTs.