Glucose enters the epithelial cells of the small intestine against its concentration gradient. select the best explanation from the following. glucose is transported through a glucose atpase in the apical membrane that hydrolyzes atp to adp and pi to pump it in. glucose enters the epithelial cells of the small intestine against its concentration gradient. select the best explanation from the following. glucose is transported through a glucose atpase in the apical membrane that hydrolyzes atp to adp and pi to pump it in. glucose is co-transported with na+, which moves down its concentration gradient into the cell. glucose is co-transported in the na+/k+ pump. glucose follows the water that is pumped into the cell. glucose enters by diffusion. glucose is co-transported in the na+/k+ pump. glucose follows the water that is pumped into the cell. glucose enters by diffusion.