Question #42624
Justify whether L-glucose and D-glucose wold be transported across the cell membrane at the same rate.
Expert's answer
The binding sites for solute on the transport proteins are stereospecific. For example, the transporter for glucose in the renal proximal tubule recognizes and transports the natural isomer D-glucose, but it does not recognize or transport the unnatural isomer L-glucose. In contrast, simple diffusion does not distinguish between the two glucose isomers because no protein carrier is involved.
