Although glucose molecules constantly diffuse into a red blood cell along their concentration gradient, equilibrium is never reached and a steep concentration gradient is continually maintained. What causes this?
A) The active transport of glucose
B) The very fast turnover rate of glucose metabolism
C) The ability of the cell to engulf glucose by pinocytosis
D) The continuous excretion of glucose from other parts of the cell
E) The rapid addition of a phosphate to the glucose molecules

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Glucose is rapidly phosphorylated to glucose-6-phosphate upon entering the cell, preventing it from diffusing back out and maintaining a concentration gradient.

Although Glucose Molecules Constantly Diffuse into a Red Blood Cell