Key Pathophys Terms

Question 1

What is Glycogenesis?

Answer 1

GLYCOGENESIS= GLUCOSE to GLYCOGEN When glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin. The insulin tells the liver to turn the glucose in the blood into glycogen (stored glucose) to be used at a later stage and to reduce current levels of glucose in the blood

Question 2

What is Glycogenolysis?

Answer 2

GLYCOGENOLYSIS= GLYCOGEN to GLUCOSE

When glucose levels in the blood decrease, the pancreas releases glucagon which tells the liver to convert the stored glucose (glycogen) into glucose to be used by the body. The process of converting glycogen to glucose is known as Glycogenolysis

Question 3

What is Glycolysis?

Answer 3

GLYCOLYSIS= GLUCOSE to PYRUVIC ACID

Glucose is broken down into Pyruvic Acid via Glycolysis. The pyruvic acid is then broken down into ATP (energy) via the KREBS CYCLE

Question 4

Which part of the cell does GLYCOLYSIS occur in? Is this an anerobic or aerobic process? How is this different to the Krebs cycle (which occurs after it)

Answer 4

GLYCOLYSIS (glucose to pyruvic acid) occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. It is an anaerobic process.

This is different to the KREBs CYCLE as the krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondria and is an aerobic process that utilises oxygen

Question 5

What is glyconeogenesis?

Answer 5

GLUCONEOGENESIS= FATS/PROTEINS to GLUCOSE

When BGL is low, glucose is sought from alternate sources, eg.

1. Lipolysis turns Triclycerides into Glycerol (& fatty acids) and the Glycerol is turned into Glucose through GLUCONEOGENESIS.
2. Catabolism of muscle produces Amino Acids. These amino acids are turned into glucose through GLUCONEOGENESIS

Question 6

What is the Renal Threshold?

Answer 6

The point at which there is too much glucose in the body so it goes beyond the threshold level and must be excreted in urine

Question 7

What is Osmotic Diuresis?

Answer 7

When glucose levels are high, blood plasma/fluid follows glucose through nephrons and out into urine

Question 8

What is Glucosuria?

Answer 8

The excretion of glucose in the urine

Question 9

What is the difference between Polyuria & Polydipsia?

Answer 9

Polyuria= excess urination

Polydipsia= excessive thirst

Question 10

What is Lipolysis?

Answer 10

Lipolysis= process of breaking down triglycerides (fats) into glycerol (which is converted into glucose) and fatty acids (which are metabolised into ketones via ketogenesis)

Question 11

What are the 3 ketones that are produced by ketogenesis (fatty acids to ketones)?

Answer 11

KETONES PRODUCED from Ketogenesis:

1. Acetone
2. Acetoacetate
3. Beta-hydroxybutyrate