Glucose is metabolized in the cells through a series of biochemical reactions, primarily aerobic cellular respiration. This process involves the oxidation of glucose in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the release of energy that is used to fuel various cellular activities and maintain vital functions.
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The body utilizes glucose to generate energy through a process called cellular respiration. In the presence of oxygen, glucose undergoes glycolysis in the cell’s cytoplasm, producing pyruvate. Pyruvate then enters the mitochondria, where it undergoes the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. During these stages, electrons are transferred through a series of protein complexes, creating a flow of energy that pumps protons across the mitochondrial membrane. This proton gradient drives ATP synthesis. The end result is the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell, used to power various cellular activities and maintain essential physiological functions.