EMCC Biology Test 2 Practice

In the context of untreated diabetes, glucose filtration primarily occurs through the kidneys during the process of urine formation. Specifically, glucose is reabsorbed from the renal tubules back into the bloodstream, where it typically utilizes facilitated diffusion for this process.

Facilitated diffusion involves the movement of substances across a cell membrane via specific transport proteins. In the case of glucose, this occurs through glucose transporter proteins that help move glucose down its concentration gradient, allowing it to enter the bloodstream without the need for cellular energy.

In untreated diabetes, when blood glucose levels are excessively high, the renal threshold for glucose reabsorption is surpassed, leading to an increase in glucose present in urine. Therefore, while facilitated diffusion remains the mechanism by which glucose is reabsorbed under normal conditions, the high levels present due to untreated diabetes result in an inability to fully reabsorb it, leading to glucose "filtration" in the urine.

This phenomenon illustrates a key aspect of diabetes management, emphasizing the importance of maintaining glucose levels within a normal range to prevent complications related to elevated glucose excretion.

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