Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Glycogen (black granules) in spermatozoa of a flatworm; transmission electron microscopy, scale: 0.3 μm. Glycogen is a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals, [2] fungi, and bacteria. [3] It is the main storage form of glucose in the human body.
In addition to glycogen breakdown with the glycogen debranching enzyme and the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme, cells also use the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase in lysosomes to degrade glycogen. A deficiency of an involved enzyme results in: Accumulation of glycogen in the cells; Lack of cellular energy negatively affects the involved organs
Glycogenesis is the process of glycogen synthesis or the process of converting glucose into glycogen in which glucose molecules are added to chains of glycogen for storage. This process is activated during rest periods following the Cori cycle , in the liver , and also activated by insulin in response to high glucose levels .
In humans, insulin is made by beta cells in the pancreas, fat is stored in adipose tissue cells, and glycogen is both stored and released as needed by liver cells. Regardless of insulin levels, no glucose is released to the blood from internal glycogen stores from muscle cells.
In humans, about 70 genes are known that code for glycosidases. They have functions in the digestion and degradation of glycogen, sphingolipids, mucopolysaccharides, and poly. Humans do not produce cellulases, chitinases, or trehalases, but the bacteria in the gut microbiota do.
If the blood glucose level falls to dangerously low levels (as during very heavy exercise or lack of food for extended periods), the alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon, a peptide hormone which travels through the blood to the liver, where it binds to glucagon receptors on the surface of liver cells and stimulates them to break down glycogen stored inside the cells into glucose (this ...
Bananas provide an easily digestible source of carbohydrates, the preferential fuel during exercise. They're light on your stomach, which won't weigh you down during your workouts.
Humans lack the cellulases to digest the carbohydrate cellulose which is a beta-linked glucose polymer. Some of the preceding endogenous enzymes have pharmaceutical counterparts ( pancreatic enzymes ) that are administered to people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency .