Metabolism of Carbohydrates: GLUT'S AND GLYCOLYSIS

Monosaccharides

Single sugar units, including glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Glucose

Main blood sugar and primary energy source for the body.

Fructose

Sugar metabolized mostly in the liver, commonly found in fruits.

Galactose

Sugar derived from milk (lactose), converted to glucose in the liver.

Disaccharides

Sugars formed from two monosaccharide units, like sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Sucrose

Disaccharide made of glucose and fructose; commonly known as table sugar.

Lactose

Disaccharide made of glucose and galactose; known as milk sugar.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates made up of many sugar units, including starch and glycogen.

Glycogen

The storage form of glucose in humans, found in the liver and muscles.

Fiber (cellulose)

Indigestible polysaccharide that adds bulk to the diet.

GLUT transporters

Proteins that facilitate the transport of glucose across cell membranes.

GLUT2

A glucose transporter found in the liver and pancreas, bidirectional in function.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce ATP and pyruvate.

Hexokinase

Enzyme that phosphorylates glucose, trapping it inside the cell.

Aerobic Glycolysis

Process of glycolysis that occurs in the presence of oxygen, yielding more ATP.

Anaerobic Glycolysis

Process of glycolysis that occurs without oxygen, generating lactate and ATP.