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A primary role for the glucose molecule is to act as a source of energy; a fuel
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A primary role for the glucose molecule is to act as a source of energy; a fuel. Plants and animals use glucose as a soluble, easily distributed form of chemical energy which can be 'burnt' in the cytoplasm and mitochondria to release carbon dioxide, water and energy. This energy is then trapped in the ATP molecule and used for everything from muscle contraction to pumping water across cell membranes. Single sugar molecules can also be attached to proteins and lipids to modify their biological role as enzymes, signaling molecules and as components of membranes. Very often the addition of one or more sugar molecules will make the recipient molecule more soluble. Glucose (and other monosaccharides) are very hydrophilic ("water loving"), and this can be a problem. Pure monosaccharides, such as glucose, attract water. Any plant (or animal) that tried to store large amounts of glucose would have a serious problem with osmosis....
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