During starvation, red blood cells continue to rely solely on glucose as a substrate for ATP production.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Red blood cells do not have mitochondria and therefore rely solely on glycolysis for ATP production, which is fueled by glucose. During starvation, the body breaks down stored glycogen and eventually turns to fat and protein as alternate fuel sources, but red blood cells remain dependent on glucose.

During Starvation, Red Blood Cells Continue to Rely Solely on Glucose