Page 40 - The Cell in 40 Topics

The Cell in 40 Topics

obey unconditionally. Chemical "gates" that permit the sugar molecules to
enter the cells are opened (Figure 25).
7- However, these gates do not open at random. The storage cells in
the liver distinguish only sugar molecules from among hundreds of differ-
ent molecules in the bloodstream, and then catch and imprison them inside
themselves (Figures 26 and 27).
8- The liver cells never disobey a command reaching them. They
never misinterpret that command, or trap the wrong substances, or store
excessive sugar. They work with enormous discipline and self-sacrifice.
Therefore, when you drink a cup of tea with too much sugar in it, this ex-
traordinary system goes into action and stores the surplus sugar in your
liver. If this system did not function properly, then your blood-sugar levels
would rise rapidly and you would enter a di-
abetic coma, commonly resulting in
death.

Figures 26 and 27.
Storage cells in the pan-
creas can distinguish sugar
molecules from among all
the millions of molecules in
the blood, and stores as
many as they require.

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