Clinical Chemistry Practicum A Flashcards
Reducing agent
A chemical species that gives an electron (hydrogen) to another chemical specie.
In carbohydrate metabolism, a reducing agent would be the sugars: glucose, fructose, and lactose. NADPH is a reducing agent in the bio-synthetic process. NADPH reduces to NADP+
Oxidizing Agent
An agent that causes a loss in electron such as when NADH is oxidized into NAD+. NAD+ is able to accept an electron from other molecules.
Ketone
Ketones are produced when the liver breaks down fats. The body can use ketones for energy during fasting, long periods of exercise, or when you haven’t had many carbohydrates.
Aldose
A monosaccharide that contains an aldehyde group and 6 carbons. Glucose is a form of an aldohexose
Glycogenesis
Process of storing extra glucose for use later when the body needs energy. Glucose molecules are added to chains of glycogen for storage. It is active during rest periods following the cori cycle, in the liver, and activated by insulin in response to high glucose levels.
Glycolysis
A catabolic pathway that breaks down monosaccharides to produce 2 pyruvate molecules, 2 ATP, and 2 NADH.
Monosaccharide
Class of sugar that is not able to be hydrolyzed into a simpler sugar. Examples of monosaccharides are glucose, galactose, and fructose
Diasaccharide
Two-part sugar molecule that needs to be broken down into a monosaccharide for absorption. Disaccharide examples are sucrose, lactose, and maltose
Polysaccharide
Carbohydrates that are greater than 10 monosaccharide units. A polysaccharide example would consist of starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
Glycogenolysis
Process by which glycogen is broken down into glucose
Gluconeogenesis
Process that produces glucose-6-phosphate from amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol, and lactate. Gluconeogenesis is an anabolic pathway that forms glucose from non-carbohydrate substances
Liver’s role in maintenance of glucose levels
Liver controls blood glucose levels via glycogen levels, by converting galactose and fructose that are intestinally absorbed into glucose. The liver also produces glucose via gluconeogenesis
Describe pancreatic function in carbohydrate metabolism
Pancreas is responsible for the hormones insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. These Hormones are involved in the regulation of carbohydrates
Describe insulin
Hypoglycemic agent that is synthesized from the islet of Langerhan cells of the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for the prompting of cells to absorb blood glucose for energy and storage
Describe glucagon
Hyperglycemic agent that is synthesized in the islet of Langerhan alpha cells of the pancreas. Glucagon levels alert your liver to convert glycogen into glucose and release it into circulation