What Is Glucose Composed Of?

Glucose is a sugar that provides the body with energy. It is created when you eat carbohydrates that are converted to sugar, and the body turns the sugar into a source of energy. When glucose levels are too high or are not regulated properly, some children and adults develop diabetes and hypoglycemia. The organ that primarily controls glucose is the pancreas.

Significance

Most glucose comes from the digestion of sugar and starch. Foods such as rice, pasta, fruit and grains are carbohydrates, and the digestive system breaks these foods down into glucose using bile and enzymes. Insulin produced by the pancreas interacts with the glucose and enters the cells, using the food to produce energy.

Function

Glucose, which comes from a Greek word meaning "sweet," is a simple sugar that is called several different names, such as blood sugar or corn sugar. It's one of the main components of photosynthesis in plants. The body tries to keep a constant supply of glucose in the cells so they won't be depleted of the energy needed to keep functioning. When you have an excess of glucose, it is stored in the liver as glycogen.

Types

Two hormones secreted by the pancreas help maintain a constant level of glucose--insulin and glycogen. Insulin is used primarily by the liver cells, fat cells and muscles cells, and it's an important form of energy that helps with digestion and maintaining the endocrine system. Glycogen is a complex carbohydrate made from glucose then stored in the liver and muscles.

Features

Most carbohydrates are converted by the body to monosacchrides then transported to the liver to be turned into glucose, where it is stored and converted to fatty acids. In the pancreas the alpha and beta cells control the levels of insulin production. Alpha cells make glycogen, and beta cells make insulin. When you eat, your sugar level naturally rises, causing the beta cells to make more insulin. All cells in the body have a special surface to which insulin will stick. When this occurs, glucose enters the cells to give energy and the liver stops making it until you need more. The cells in your muscles and the fat in the tissue also absorb glucose. Alpha cells secret glycogen when glucose is low.

Conditions

Hypoglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is lower than it should be. Some of the symptoms of this are hunger, shakiness, dizziness, sweating, anxiety and weakness. These can be alleviated by eating a small amount of glucose-rich food, such as whole-grain bread, fruit, tortillas or rice, but if left untreated, it can cause serious complications. If you suspect you have hypoglycemia, consult a doctor.
Some forms of diabetes, a more chronic disease, develop when there is not enough insulin in the body to maintain blood-sugar levels. Other forms of diabetes occur when there is too much glucose in the blood from obesity and poor diet. Diabetes can be managed by diet, medication and, in some cases, injections.