Answer
No, it is not possible for the
body to reabsorb glucose in the absence of glucose carrier
proteins.
- Glucose molecules are absorbed in the small intestine by
enterocytes.
- The plasma membrane of the cells is made up of
phospholipids. It only allows the
passage of small and non-polar molecules. Lipid
soluble substances can easily cross the membrane.
- Glucose (monomer of carbohydrates) is
large and polar. It cannot easily move across the
plasma membrane into the enterocyte.
- Hence, there are two modes of transport in
order to move glucose into the cell.
1) GLUT : Glucose transporters are membrane
embedded protein carriers that facilitates glucose
transport into the cell by the process of
facilitated diffusion.
2) SGLT : Sodium-glucose transport proteins allow
secondary active transport of glucose molecules
into the cell along with sodium ions.