Carbohydrate Metabolism and Insulin Flashcards
L glucose is found naturally whereas D glucose is not. T/F?
False - the opposite is true
Alpha-D-glucose is present in foodstuffs, What does the ‘alpha’ refer to?
Whether or not the hydroxyl group bins below (alpha) or above (beta) the first carbon atom
What type of bond holds two monosaccharides together to form a disaccharide?
Glycosidic bond
Why might some starches be slowly digested?
They are trapped in intact starch granules e.g. raw cereals and vegetables
They are resistant to amylase due to tightly packed 3D structure e.g. processed foods, raw potato
Associated with dietary fibre (beans/legumes)
Contain high levels of fat which delay gastric emptying
Why can humans not digest cellulose?
Because we do not have the enzymes required to cleave the beta glycosidic bonds in cellulose
Why is the brain dependent on a constant supply of glucose?
Fatty acids cannot cross the blood-brain barrier whereas glucose can
Why are erythrocytes dependent on a constant supply of glucose?
These cells have no mitochondria and therefore cannot oxidise fuels so can only gain energy from glycolysis
Between what concentration is glucose maintained in the fasted state?
4-5mM/l
Between what concentration is glucose maintained in the fed state?
8-12mM/l
What transporters can transport glucose down its concentration gradient by facilitated diffusion?
GLUT 1 - GLUT 5
What transporters can transport glucose against its concentration gradient by active transport?
SGLT 1 and 2
SGLT 1/2 transport glucose actively with which electrolyte?
Sodium
Which monosaccharides can GLUT1 transport?
glucose and galactose but not fructose
GLUT2 is capable of transporting glucose, galactose and fructose. It is present mainly on which tissues?
Liver
Pancreas beta cells
Small intestine
Kidney
Which transporter is the primary glucose transporter for neutrons?
GLUT 3
Which transporter is the insulin-responsive glucose transporter?
GLUT-4
Which tissues is GLUT-4 particularly expressed in?
Skeletal and cardiac muscle
adipocytes
Which transporter transports fructose but not glucose or galactose?
GLUT 5
Where is GLUT 5 transporter particularly present?
Small intestine
Sperm
During exercise, GLUT4 is translocated into adipose and muscle cells to produce more ATP independent of insulin. T/F?
True
What are the possible functions of glucose in a cell?
Production of ATP via glycolysis, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
Storage as glycogen
Storage of lipid from acetyl coA following glycolysis
Synthesis of sugars for RNA/DNA
Synthesis of glycolipids and glycoproteins
All pathways for any use of glucose in a cell require phosphorylation of glucose to…?
Glucose 6 phosphate
Phosphorylation of glucose traps glucose within the cell. T/F?
True
What is the other name from hexokinase 6?
Glucokinase
Which substance acts in a negative feedback loop hexokinases 1-3?
Glucose 6 phosphate
Hexokinases 1-3 have a high affinity for glucose. T/F?
False - they have a low affinity for glucose
Which enzyme is responsible for the step of glycolysis which commits the glucose molecule to the glycolysis pathway?
Phosphofructokinase
What downstream products act as negative feedback inhibitors of phosphofructokinase?
ATP
Citrate
How is NAD+ replenished in anaerobic conditions?
By conversion of pyruvate to lactate
How can fructose be used in glycolysis?
It is converted to fructose-1-phosphate by fructokinase and this is then converted to DHAP and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate which are intermediates in glycolysis