Week 4- Energy storage (carbohydrates and lipids)

Question 1

Major site of gluconeogenesis

Answer 1

Liver (kidney cortex can also produce glucose in starvation)

Question 2

Possible substrates for gluconeogenesis

Answer 2

1. Lactate
2. Pyruvate
3. Glycerol
4. Essential and non-essential amino acids whose metabolism involves pyruvate or intermediates of the TCA cycle

Question 3

Major features of glycogen storage diseases

Answer 3

1. Increased or decreased amounts of glycogen which may cause:
   - Tissue damage if excessive storage
   - Fasting hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose)
   - Poor exercise tolerance
2. Glycogen structure may be abnormal
3. Usually liver and/or muscle are affected