# Biochemistry - transporting glucose

**URL:** <https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-transporting-glucose/3803>\
**Category:** New T1/LADA\
**Created:** [March 27, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-transporting-glucose/3803 "2018-03-27T15:46:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-transporting-glucose/3803/6 "2018-03-27T22:06:08Z")

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> [@Thomas](#):
>
> I was wondering where the insulin fits into this picture?

I will post about this in more detail on another [post](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-what-does-insulin-actually-do/3809). These things are easier to take in little bits.

A glucose molecule is unable to pass through a cell membrane via simple diffusion because it is too large. Instead, cells need to assist the glucose, which is why it is called “facilitated diffusion”.

[A simple analogy is that insulin is like a “key” that unlocks the door for the glucose transporters.](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-what-does-insulin-actually-do/3809)

At low levels of insulin, there are not many glucose transporters on the membrane.

Increased insulin causes the glucose transporters to fuse with the plasma membrane and “open” the door.

I will post more about this.

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_[View the full topic](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/biochemistry-transporting-glucose/3803)._