Changes

Glucose is metabolized aerobically by nearly all cells (a notable exception is the erythrocyte - Red Blood Cell - which process glucose via [[glycolysis]]) for the formation of ATP. Upon ingesting glucose, it is absorbed into the blood stream by the [[small intestine]], carried to the [[liver]] via the [[portal vein]] where a portion is stored as [[glycogen]] or transformed into [[triacylglycerols]] ([[triglycerides]]) and packaged with specific proteins generating [[Very Low Density Lipoproteins]] ([[VLDL]]s). These lipid-protein particles then re-enter the circulation where they are hydrolyzed by the endothelial bound enzyme [[lipoprotein lipase]] (LPL) into Intermediate and [[Low Density Lipoproteins]] ([[LDL]]s), ultimately yielding free fatty acids and monoglycerides. These molecules are absorbed by adipocytes (fat cells) where they are reassembled into fats and stored as energy reserves. In addition to the liver, glucose is also stored as glycogen in skeletal muscle cells where it can be broken down at a later time in a process called [[glycogenolysis]]. This liberates free glucose for metabolism by all cells.