Glycogen Breakdown Flashcards
Go through the steps our body goes through to increase out glucose levels in fasting state
- Glucose is converted into pyruvate
- Pyruvate converted into acetyl CoA
- Acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle
- Citric acid cycle produces high energy electrons that go to the electron transport chain
How is glucose stored?
Stored as glycogen in our muscles and liver
When is liver glucose released?
- Can be released into the blood during fasting
2. During fight or flight liver can metabolise glycogen stored and releases glucose for use by muscle
Does the liver use the stored glycogen for fuel?
no it can use glycogen derived glucose for the pentose phosphate pathway
What happen when prolonged fasting occurs?
Glycogen reserves will be used up and metabolism needs to start synthesising glucose from non-carbohydrates to maintain blood glucose levels (gluconeogenesis)
What is gluconeogenesis
The synthesis of glucose from non carbohydrate sources
Why is glucose important ?
- AS it is the only energy source used by the brain and is required by cells with no mitochondria
- It is the energy source for exercising muscles and is the substrate for anaerobic glycolysis
Why has the body developed mechanisms for storage and supply of glucose?
As dietary intake of glucose is sporadic and not always reliable
Between meal and during exercise where do we get glucose from?
From glycogen when it’s metabolised
Name the main stores of glycogen
Muscles
Liver
What is the molecular mass of one glycogen molecule
Can be up to 10^8 (100,000,000)
How does glycogen exist?
Exists as discrete cytoplasmic granules which contain most of the enzymes necessary for glycogen synthesis and degradation
Describe the structure of glycogen
- it is a homopolysaccharide made form only alpha D glucose
- Made up of multiple chains
- Is highly branches
Name the bond that links each unit of glycogen
Glycosidic bond
What type of glycosidic bond is present in glycogen?
Alpha 1,4 link between each unit
Alpha 1,6 link at branch points
When does Glycogen branching occur?
Occurs every 8-10 glucosyl residues
What does the alpha stand for in the alpha 1,6 AND 1,4 LINKS
Means theres the same stereochemistry between both glycogen been combines
What is the significance of branching?
Branching creates countless non reducing ends which means glycogen can be synthesised or broken down rapidly
What is the difference between glycogen and starch
Starch is not as branched
How is glycogen synthesised and broken down?
By adding or removing glucose units from non reducing ends
What is the main function of liver glycogen
To maintain blood glued between meals and during early stages of fasting
What is the main function of muscle glucose
It isa fuel reserve for muscle contraction
Is the glucose released from LIVER glycogen exportable?
Yes as it is released from the lover into the blood stream to be used by other tissues
Is the glucose released from muscle glycogen exportable?
No as this glucose cannot leave the muscle
How big is the glycogen store in the liver
10% wet weight of liver
How long does the glycogen stored in the liver last?
Around 24 hours during fasting
How big is the glycogen store in the muscles
1-2% of wet weight of muscles
Name the hormones that promote the breakdown of liver glycogen
Glucagon and adrenaline
Name the hormones that promote the breakdown of liver glycogen
Adrenaline