Glycogen Metabolism and Gluconeogenesis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis from the Medical Biochemistry lecture.

What is glycolysis?

A major pathway for glucose metabolism that occurs in the cytosol of all cells and can function either aerobically or anaerobically.

What is glycogen?

The major storage carbohydrate in animals, a multibranched polymer of α-d-glucose.

Where does glycogen synthesis primarily occur?

Mainly in the liver and muscle.

What role does glycogen phosphorylase play in glycogen metabolism?

Catalyzes the phosphorolytic cleavage of the α1 → 4 linkages of glycogen to yield glucose-1-phosphate.

What is gluconeogenesis?

The process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors.

What are the major gluconeogenic tissues?

Liver and Kidney.

What hormones regulate gluconeogenesis during fasting and fed states?

Insulin and glucagon.

What is the Cori cycle?

A process where lactate formed by glycolysis in skeletal muscle is transported to the liver and kidney to reform glucose.

What is the function of alanine in the alanine cycle?

To maintain blood glucose levels during fasting.

Which enzymes are crucial for bypassing irreversible reactions of glycolysis in gluconeogenesis?

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.