GLUCONEOGENESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Gluconeogenesis is a biochemical metabolic pathway that occurs in living organisms, including humans and animals, involving the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. It is a crucial process that helps maintain proper blood glucose levels, especially during fasting or low carbohydrate intake when the body's energy demands are high.
During gluconeogenesis, certain non-carbohydrate sources, such as lactate, amino acids, and glycerol, are converted into glucose molecules. This process predominantly takes place in the liver, although it can also occur in the kidney and small intestine. Gluconeogenesis ensures a steady supply of glucose to organs and tissues, particularly the brain and muscles, which are highly dependent on glucose for energy.
The pathway of gluconeogenesis involves a series of enzymatic reactions that occur in a reciprocal manner to glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose for energy. However, three irreversible steps of glycolysis are bypassed or reversed in gluconeogenesis through the action of specific enzymes. These reactions require energy in the form of ATP and other cofactors.
Gluconeogenesis is tightly regulated by hormonal and enzymatic controls, primarily influenced by glucagon and cortisol hormones. These hormones stimulate gluconeogenesis when blood glucose levels are low, triggering the release of stored glycogen and promoting the breakdown of stored fats and proteins to produce glucose.
Overall, gluconeogenesis plays a vital role in maintaining glucose homeostasis by providing an alternative pathway for glucose synthesis, ensuring a continuous supply of this essential fuel source to support vital organ functions and meet energy demands throughout the body, especially during times of fasting or carbohydrate restriction.
Common Misspellings for GLUCONEOGENESIS
Etymology of GLUCONEOGENESIS
The word "gluconeogenesis" is derived from three Greek roots: "glykys" meaning "sweet", "neo" meaning "new", and "genesis" meaning "formation" or "creation". The term was coined to describe the process in which new glucose is formed in the body.
Similar spelling words for GLUCONEOGENESIS
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