Synonyms: Dextrose, Saccharum amylaceum, Saccharum uvarum
Abbreviation: Glc
Empirical formula: C6H12O6
German: Glukose
Glucose is a monosaccharide that is very common in nature. It is one of the most important carbohydrates.
Glucose is a hexavalent polyol whose hydroxyl-group is oxidized to its C1 atom in form of an aldehyde. The molecular scaffolding of glucose contains 6 carbon atoms, which is therefore characterized as aldohexose.
The cell uses glucose as a major source of energy and as a metabolic intermediate. The level of plsama glucose is regulated by a feedback control system containing the peptide hormones insulin and glucagon.
Important disorders of glucose metabolism are:
This page was last edited on 25 October 2006, at 14:29.
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