In which of the following organ is the glucose transport under insulin control?
**Core Concept**
Glucose transport across cell membranes is a critical process in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. In various tissues, glucose uptake is regulated by different mechanisms, but under insulin control, it is primarily facilitated by insulin-sensitive glucose transporters.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Insulin stimulates the translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane in muscle and adipose tissues. This process is mediated by the insulin signaling pathway, which activates the protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) enzymes. Once translocated to the membrane, GLUT4 facilitates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. This insulin-dependent glucose transport is crucial for lowering blood glucose levels after a meal.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the liver's glucose uptake is primarily regulated by glucagon and insulin, but not under direct insulin control for glucose transport. The liver expresses GLUT2, which has a high Km for glucose, allowing it to take up glucose from the blood when concentrations are high and release glucose into the blood when concentrations are low.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the kidneys filter glucose from the blood, but glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule is primarily facilitated by sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs), not insulin-sensitive glucose transporters like GLUT4.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the brain relies on glucose as its primary energy source, but its glucose uptake is not under direct insulin control. The blood-brain barrier and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) facilitate glucose entry into the brain, which is not regulated by insulin.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, impairs GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissues, leading to hyperglycemia and metabolic complications.
**Correct Answer:** C. Muscle