The chemical processes through which the body makes use of glucose. Glucose, a simple sugar or monosaccharide, is the body’s chief source of energy. When consumed, carbohydrates are broken down by digestive juices into simple sugars. These simple sugars are absorbed from the intestines, where some are stored as glycogen while the rest enter the blood as glucose where they can be used by cells for energy and growth. When the glucose level in the body drops, the pancreas releases glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream to raise blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that are not used for energy or stored in the body as glycogen are converted into fat.