Life prefers to use glucose over other sugars

[biophysics]

We learned that life prefers to use glucose over other sugars (catabolite repression).

1) Why is glucose preferred?

2) Why do sperm use fructose instead of glucose?

 

[flyingheadlice]

Hmm I know that fructose is metabolized without insulin...is this for a bio class or for an ochem class?

 

[Blueshift5]

1) Glucose is preferred because it is the most readily available and easily metabolized sugar. It can be broken down quickly and efficiently to produce energy for cellular processes. Additionally, glucose is a monosaccharide, meaning it is a simple sugar that can be easily transported across cell membranes.

2) Sperm use fructose instead of glucose because they have a specialized energy production system that is optimized for the use of fructose. This allows them to efficiently produce the energy needed for their journey through the female reproductive tract. Additionally, fructose is more concentrated in the female reproductive tract, making it the more readily available sugar for sperm to use. This preference for fructose in sperm is likely due to evolutionary adaptations for successful fertilization.