Glycogen Degradation

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts from the lecture on glycogen degradation, including terms related to glycogen structure, metabolism, and regulatory mechanisms.

Glycogenolysis

The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose 6-phosphate.

Allosteric regulation

Regulation of an enzyme by binding an effector molecule at a site other than the enzyme's active site.

Hormonal regulation

Control of biological processes through hormones such as glucagon and epinephrine that affect glycogen breakdown.

Glycogen phosphorylase

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of glycogen to glucose 1-phosphate.

Phosphoglucomutase

An enzyme that converts glucose 1-phosphate into glucose 6-phosphate.

α-1,4 linkages

Glycosidic bonds that join glucose units in a linear form within the glycogen polymer.

α-1,6 linkages

Glycosidic bonds that create branching points in the glycogen structure.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates.

Free glucose

Glucose that is not part of a glycogen polymer and can be released into the bloodstream.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often regulating enzyme activity.

Glycogenin

A protein that serves as a primer for glycogen synthesis.

T state

The tense form of phosphorylase that is less active and has a blocked active site.

R state

The relaxed form of phosphorylase that is more active and has an unobstructed active site.

Phosphorylase kinase

An enzyme that activates glycogen phosphorylase by phosphorylation.