Glycogen Metabolism Flashcards Preview

(Week 3) Foundations of Medicine > Glycogen Metabolism > Flashcards

Flashcards in Glycogen Metabolism Deck (8)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What is the role of glucose in the liver vs. perepheral tissue?

A

In the liver, it serves as a buffer for the BGLs. In the periphery, it’s a buffer for Glucose-6-P within the cell (especially for muscle tissue.)

2
Q

Fasting hypoglycemia and muscle pain during exercise suggest what?

A

Defects in glycogen metabolism

3
Q

What does the first step of glycogen synthesis, phosphorylation, do to the glucose molecule?

A

It traps it in the cell and activates it.

4
Q

Glycogen synthase adds [ ] onto the [ ] end of the growing glycogen chain.

A

UDP-Glucose; 4 Carbon end

5
Q

What enzyme initiates a branch after about 11 glucose units on glycogen?

A

Branching enzyme (glycosyl 4 –> 6 transferase)

6
Q

What are some advantages of the branched glycogen structure?

A

Increases solubility
Has more active ends, so glycogenolysis and glycogenesis can happen rapidly
Doesn’t rely on activation of new genes.

7
Q

What is the first step to glycogen degradation?

A

Glycogen phosphorylase cleaves units of glucose from glycogen chains and adds inorganic phosphate to make glucose 1-phosphate.

8
Q

The fed state is usually associated with dephosphorylation (T/F)

A

T, insulin activates phosphatases that remove phosphates.