In this line, glucose (sugar) is turned into ATP. ATP is energy that the cell can use.
This is Glucose.
Glucose is a sugar. When you eat, food gets broken down into glucose (sugar) and stays inside your blood.
This is ATP.
It’s like a tiny battery that gives energy to your cells. Your body gets energy from glucose (sugar), but cells can only use energy in the form of ATP. On the Orange Line, glucose gets turned into ATP so the cell can do its job.
This is the GLUT Transporter.
Glucose gets transported into the cell by the GLUT Transporter. It opens a door so glucose can enter the cell.
This is Pyruvate.
Pyruvate is what glucose is turned into after it’s broken down. It’s glucose split in half!
Once glucose is in the cell, it breaks down into pyruvate.
This is the Mitochondria.
The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell where energy is made.
Pyruvate goes into the Mitochondria.
This creates ATP.
Remember! ATP is the type of energy the cell needs to do its job. The cell’s job is to make and release insulin.